In recent months, a few well-known figures in Nigeria’s political arena have expressed their desire to become the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after Muhammadu Buhari’s term expires.
Among them is Kadilla Oknu Ramidi, a media talent and daughter of the former Federal Labor Relations Commission Latif Orfemi Oknu. Orji Uzor Kahl, former Governor of Abia. Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra. Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers, current Minister of Transport.
The race also includes Bukola Saraki, the former governor of Kwara and the former president of the Nigerian Senate. Nyesom Wike, current Governor of Rivers. Jemi Osinbaho, the current Vice President of Nigeria.
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Their public declaration has sparked much controversy among political analysts and enthusiasts. There was also discussion about who would get the most support from voters, just as zoning remains the bone of controversy.
The following are some of the past disputes related to the six known applicants, as more applicants are expected to express their interest in the coming days.
Approval of YEMIOSIN BAJO and N5.8 billion NEMA intervention fund
In November 2018, the Extraordinary Committee on Emergency and Disaster Countermeasures of the House of Representatives approved the board of directors of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbaho, for illegal intervention of 5.8 billion N in the northeast. I was charged with. Fund.
This approval was given when Osinbaho was acting president in 2017.
The Commission explained that the approval of 5.8 billion N did not follow due process because the funds were removed from the eurobond without the consent of Congress.
He added that there were no procurements, due processes, or contracts, but the funds were released and spent.
“Also, Article 80 (2) and Article 80 provisions to all government officials involved in the approval, processing, liberation, and diversion of a total of 5.8 billion Newtons for emergency intervention in northeastern food security. (4) Violations of proper procedures in the Constitution, loss of government revenues, and violations of the terms of the Eurobond loan have been prosecuted here and the relevant security agencies have taken steps to recover money from them. Should be taken, “read some of the Commission’s recommendations.
Interestingly, the report also states that all six northeastern states have refused to receive an emergency intervention fund for food security in the region.
In the same month, Osinbaho replied to the committee, denying cheating in approving the funds.
Operation of BOLATINUBU and ALPHABETA
In January, and after long speculation, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Lagos governor and national leader of the All Progress Council (APC), announced his intention to fight for Nigeria’s chief in 2023.
However, in 2020, Dapo Appara, a former associate of Tinub and a stakeholder in Alpha-Beta, a consulting firm believed to be owned by the former governor, said money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, and more. I blamed him for his corruption.
Appara, who claims 30% ownership of the company’s shares, claimed that since 1998, Tinub has directed and dictated the company’s operations by diversion of assets to himself.
He also revealed that the company has produced about 1.5 trillion Newtons for the Lagos state government since 2002, of which Alpha Beta earned 10 percent.
He accused the company of poor account management and claimed that he had not benefited as a stakeholder for 10 years.
The Appara warrant also states that Tinub has forced more than 70% profit from all ongoing projects in Lagos since taking office as governor in 1999.
The former associate also claimed that Ibrahim Mag, then chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was warned by the former governor not to consider exposing him in order to protect him at all times.
ORJIUZORKALU arrest and subsequent release
In January, Orji Uzor Kalu, Governor of Abia from 1999 to 2007, declared his ambition to run for president in 2023.
However, in 2019, Cal was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Lagos High Court for deceiving the Abian state government while serving as governor.
He was accused of committing 7.65 billion N frauds using his company, Slok Nigeria Ltd. He was detained in Ikoyi Prison in Lagos following a court ruling.
However, in May 2020, a seven-member committee of the Supreme Court declared Kalu’s conviction invalid, setting aside the 2019 decision of Judge Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court of Lagos.
The Supreme Court said he was already a judge in the Court of Appeals when Judge Idris ruled Cal. The court ordered a retrial, and Cal was released from the Nigerian Correctional Bureau in Kuje, Abuja on June 3, 2020.
The case changed even more dramatically in September 2021 when the Federal High Court in Abuja prevented the EFCC from retrying Kal.
Bukola Saraki and EFCC
In November 2021, former Kwara Governor and Nigerian Senate Chairman Bukora Saraki announced his intention to challenge the President to a gathering of elders and members of the Kwara People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Working Committee. In 2023.
However, prior to this declaration, Saraki was invited by the EFCC for cross-examination.
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He was asked in connection with an investigation into how 17 billion N of public debt was spent during his tenure as Governor of Kwara.
While invited, he was also burned on suspicion of fraudulent diversion of 9 billion N by his successor, Abdulfatai Ahmed.
Corruption Fees for Atiku Aboubakar
After initially expressing interest in running for president in 2007, Atiku Abubakar, then Vice President of Nigeria, took over $ 100 million (£ 51 million) of public money from the Nigerian Senate to his private interests. It was accused of being diverted. ..
During the period, the Senate also recommended that Atiku be charged with sucking money into the companies involved.
According to the Senate, the former Vice President first diverted funds from government accounts to foreign accounts. The diverted funds were converted into loans from three companies directly related to him.
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However, while Atiku responded to the claim, the report claimed that it was a deliberate attempt to prevent him from running for president during that period.
He also accused Olusegun Obasanjo, then president, of adjusting his allegations after preventing him from realizing his dream of constitutional amendment.
Atiku fought four times over the presidency and lost all four. His declaration in March was his fifth attempt to become President of Nigeria.
Peter Obi and his secret business
In March, former Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, expressed interest in Cheong Wa Dae while talking to the traditional ruler of Awka, Anambra.
He is famous for his speeches and comments on transparency and good governance. In forums and interviews, he also talked about his responsibilities when he was governor of Anambra.
However, the Pandora Papers Project, a study conducted by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) in October 2021, maintains secret commerce and public relationships even when the band was governor. I made it clear.
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According to the leaked files obtained during the project, Obi secretly launches and operates businesses overseas, most of which are countries that keep business information confidential.
While responding to this revelation, Obi was unaware that the law expected him to do so, so he took these companies, funds, and property while filing an asset declaration to the Code of Conduct. He said he did not declare.
