​Buhari’s sickness, Evans, Ikoyi whistleblower, #BAAD2017…other remarkable events that shape 2017

As 2017 wraps up today, one can say it came with good, bad and ugly experiences judging by the events that made headlines and trended on social media. Each year comes with its defining moments and events that make it memorable. 2017 was not exception.

As Nigerians usher in new year 2018, Nigeria Politics Online reviewed the year and presents the major events that shaped 2017 for Nigeria.

Buhari receives Boko Haram’s flag

The Nigerian Army on early January hosted President Muhammadu Buhari to a Guards Brigade Regimental Dinner and presented the captured Boko Haram flag to him in Abuja.

Reports say the flag was handed over to the President by the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. -Gen. Lucky Irabor.

Troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole operating in the North-East said they had successfully captured “Camp Zero,” the strongest enclave of Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa Forest.

Irabor had said about 1,240 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were arrested during a mop-up operation by troops inside the Sambisa forest.

Meanwhile, the dreaded terrorist group is still carrying out attacks in the Eastern part of the country.

Nigerian-Turkish pupils, workers kidnapped

Gunmen had invaded the Nigerian Turkish International College premises in Isheri, Ogun State, l on Friday, January 13, after digging a hole under the school fence.

They shot indiscriminately and headed for the female hostel, where three pupils were seized.

A Turkish teacher, a matron, a supervisor and two intending candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, who worked in the school, were also abducted by the assailants.

After 11 days in the den of kidnappers, pupils and staff members of the school regained their freedom.

While there are claims in some quarters that the school and families of the victims parted with millions of naira as ransom, the police insisted that their freedom was due to pressure mounted on the kidnappers.

Controversy trails Buhari’s absence from Nigeria

One of the major stories in the polity was the subject of President Buhari’s health that started dominating the national discuss, when during his third trip, on January 19, Mr. Buhari extended his medical vacation, after an initial announcement that his trip would last ten work days.

In the letter regarding his travel, dated January 18 Mr. Buhari had indicated that he would be away for 10 days on a medical vacation to attend to his health.

The leave was supposed to last between January 23 and February 6, according to the letter transmitted to both chambers of the National Assembly.

On March 10, exactly 50 days after his departure, Mr. Buhari returned but was not able to adequately discharge his duties.

About 58 days later, on May 7, the president embarked on another journey for his medical check-up, without any specific date for his return.

Various individuals and groups reacted to the president’s medical vacation, giving divergent opinions on the matter.

Apostle Suleman, Stephanie Otobo and Daniela Okeke sex scandal

The overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries, Johnson Suleman, became the butt of Internet jokes in March after he was embroiled in an alleged sex scandal with a Canada-based lady, Stephanie Otobo. Internet users poked fun at Mr. Suleman after Stephanie revealed to the media that her affair with the cleric involved a lot of sex. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, she said that she had a nice time with Mr. Suleman in Naples, New York, and Lagos.

“I refused to have a threesome with him because I’m not a lesbian and I don’t like women touching me. He told me he did that with all his past girlfriends, that I was the only one (who refused), that it’s very rude that I can do that to him.”

A popular Nollywood big girl, Daniella Okeke, was also alleged as having benefitted from the cleric’s benevolence.

It was alleged that Mr. Suleman acquired a N160 million duplex located in Mende Maryland, Lagos and a $76,000 brand-new Mercedes-Benz 450 GL for the actress and that they had been neck deep in a relationship.

EFCC chairman saga

The Nigerian Senate refused to confirm Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, December 15, 2016. Magu’s fate is yet unknown. He might be replaced by the president though the presidency has debunked the rumour.

EFCC recovers looted N13bn in Ikoyi building

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Wednesday, found $38 million, £27,000 and N23 million in a private residence on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, acting on a tip-off by a whistleblower.

The commission after investigation named Mrs. Folashade Oke as the owner of Flat 7B, No. 13, Osborne Road, Osborne Towers.

Mrs. Oke is the wife of the suspended Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ayo Oke, whose agency had laid claim to the money. According to the EFCC, Mrs. Oke made a cash payment of $1.658m for the purchase of the flat between August 25 and September 3, 2015.

She was said to have purchased the property in the name of a company, Chobe Ventures Limited, to which she and her son, Master Ayodele Oke Junior, were directors. Payment for the purchase of the flat was said to have been made to one Fine and Country Limited.

The EFCC stated that Mrs. Oke made the cash payment in tranches of $700,000, $650,000 and $353,700 to a Bureau de Change company, Sulah Petroleum and Gas Limited, which later converted the sums into N360,000,000 and subsequently paid it to Fine and Country Limited for the purchase of the property.

The discovery caused a lot of uproar from individuals and groups asking President Buhari to sack the NIA boss. 

Buhari later approved the recommendation to terminate the appointment of Ambassador Oke, and has further approved the setting up of a three-member panel to, among other things, look into the operational, technical and administrative structure of the Agency and make appropriate recommendations.

Ikoyi Whistleblower gets N421m, leaves country

The battle for the payment of 5 percent entitlements to the original whistleblowers of the Ikoyi loot has continued as the petitioners have headed to the Federal High Court, Abuja Division to seek for justice as both the Finance Minister and the Attorney General of the Federation(AGF), who had earlier received petitions and appeals had remained silent in this era of fighting corruption by the present administration.

Evans the billionaire kidnap kingpin

In Nigerian history, The ‘most notorious kidnapper in the country’, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, aka Evans, arrested at his residence in Magodo Estate, in Lagos.

Evans was apprehended by the inspector-general of police intelligence response team led by Abba Kyari, an assistant commissioner of police.

Atiku dumps APC, returns to PDP

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on November 24, dumped Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

He said the APC is a dying party that does not supports the aspirations of the youths.

Although, his decision did not surprise the ruling party, even as indicated in its reaction to Atiku’s defection.

The Turaki Adamawa, in no distant time after his renunciation as APC stalwalt, announced his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he was once a member.

Buhari’s son, Yusuf involved in bike accident 

It is still a trying moment for the first family of the nation following the involvement of Yusuf Buhari in a bike accident.

Yusuf, the only son of president Muhammadu Buhari, according to 

reports, is still lying unconscious in a private hospital in Abuja.

The incident which happened on the 27th of December has drawn reactions from Nigerians who have been praying for his recovery.

According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President. The statement disclosed that Yusuf “broke a limb and had an injury to the head as a result. He has undergone surgery at a clinic in Abuja. He is in a stable condition.” 

Yusuf was reportedly drag racing with friends when the accident happened.

26 Nigerian girls drown in Mediterranean 

It was indeed a sad news for Nigeria as the bodies of 26 teenage migrant girls were found dead in the Mediterranean in November 3.

The loss of the girls — believed to be Nigerians aged 14 to 18 was described by the Nigerian foreign ministry as “a monumental loss and a sad moment for our country”.

According to the post-mortems carried out in Salerno in southern Italy, 25 of the girls died of asphyxiation in the water, most of them when the inflatable dinghy they were travelling on sank.

The deceased were buried in Italy but not without a strand of controversy that followed due to the absence of Nigerian government’s delegation the event.

The federal government however claimed the Italian government carried out the burial earlier than the date they both agreed on.

Efe wins #BBNaija

Efe Ejeba emerged the winner of Big Brother Nigeria House, #BBNaija.

He beat the multi-talented Bisola to win the N25 million star prize, a brand new Kia Sorento SUV, amongst other mouth-watering prizes.

Efe, an upcoming rap artiste, appeared to be the favourite of so many Nigerian celebrities. The Big Brother Nigeria 2017 began in January.

It had seen the eviction of nine housemates, Bally, Bassey, CocoIce, Gifty, Kemen, Miyonse, Soma, ThintallTony and Uriel, Mavis, Debbie Rise and TBoss.

2Baba Backed Out Of A Nationwide Protest

In January, popular Nigerian artiste, Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Baba, solicited the support of well-meaning Nigerians as he planned a nationwide protest against President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

2Baba took to his Instagram page to confirm that the protest will hold on February 5 thus; “A call for good governance. A call for urgent explanation into the reckless economic downturn nationwide. A call for nationwide protests as we say no to the executive, no to legislature, no to judiciary… You have all failed us”.

Dammy Krane In Credit Card Scandal

In June this year, Nigerian afro-pop singer and former Hypertek Records act, Dammy Krane was embroiled in a controversial credit card scam which eventually led to his arrest in Miami, U.S.

He was charged with grand theft, credit card, and identity fraud.

The news of his arrest quickly filtered through the social media space with mixed reactions from music lovers, critics and industry colleagues.

Davido And The Mysterious Death of His Friend Tagbo

DMW boss, Davido, remains one of the most talked about artistes in 2017. His blooming career was met by a major obstacle when actress Caroline Danjuma, accused the artiste and his crew of having a hand in Tagbo’s death.

The Lagos police commissioner, Imohimi Edgal, told reporters that Close Circuit Television footages from the hospital proved that Tagbo was brought in dead by Davido’s escort driver, Tunde Usutu, and two of his (Davido) friends, Agbeje Olaoye and Idris Busari.

After staying mute for some time, the embattled singer finally spoke up in a statement to exonerate himself.

#BAAD2017: Banky W and Adesua Utomi’s Glamorous Wedding

Nigerian singer, Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, and his wife, Adesua Etomi, broke the internet this year with the announcement of their engagement and subsequently their wedding.

Their traditional wedding which was the talk of social media trended with the hashtag #BAAD2017. It had in attendance friends, associates and celebrities including Bovi, Basket Mouth, Kemi Adetiba, Tunde Demuren, Chigul, Lynxx, Juliet Ibrahim, M.I Abaga,Dotun Kayode, Toolz, Tolu Oniru, Linda Ejiofor, Sola Sobowale, among others.

The nuptial tie came shortly after Banky W successfully had a third surgery for skin cancer. Their engagement which was initially perceived as a publicity stunt was officially announced by Banky W in February. The couple then proceeded to Cape Town, South Africa for a high-profile ceremony.

Banky W however sparked social media outrage over a video he erroneously uploaded on the Internet which showed his new wife, Adesua, in a compromising situation.The video Banky W posted on the Internet revealed the buttocks of his wife. As usual,social media went into an instant frenzy.

Davido reconciles with Dele Momodu

Multiple award winning Nigerian act, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido finally settled a longstanding rift with publisher of Ovation, Otunba Dele Momodu after months of rift between the duo.

This comes as a result of Davido having a child with Dele Momodu’s niece, Sophia which led to their long term beef.

Davido in the course of the rift called out Dele Momodu in some of his songs.

They finally buried their differences during this year’s Ovation Red Carol event that took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Sunday 17th December when Davido graced the stage.

In a similar development, the rivalry between Nigerian top artistes, Davido and Wizkid, ended as both artistes reconciled during Wizkid’s concert which held at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos on Sunday night.

Wizkid made the first move by inviting Davido to share the stage and spotlight with him to the delight of the audience.

Both stars performed Davido’s hit track, Fia and it was such a beautiful sight.

• African scene 

Mugabe resigns

The year 2017 will no doubt go down the memory lane in the history of Africa as one which the unexpected played out in terms of leadership.

Such was the case of the resignation of Robert Mugabe as president of Zimbabwe on November 27 after his 37-year reign.

Mugabe was swept from power as his autocratic rule crumbled within days of a military takeover.

His resignation however was not without a strand of intrigue that played out following his initial refusal not to step down.

The bombshell news was delivered to a special joint session of parliament.

His efforts to position his wife Grace as his successor triggered fury in the military that had underpinned his regime.

His resignation was greeted on the streets of the capital Harare with car horns and wild cheering.

It capped an unprecedented week in which the military seized control, tens of thousands of Zimbabwean citizens took to the streets to demand the president go and 93-year-old Mugabe wrestled to remain in power.

Mugabe had ruled Zimbabwe almost unopposed since the country won independence from Britain.

George Weah emerges Liberia President 

After series of attempt made to assume the country’s apex position, the National Elections Commission, NEC, on the 29th of December formally declared international football icon, George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change, CDC, as president-elect of Liberia.

 His emergence followed the December 26 presidential runoff election at the NEC headquarters in Monrovia.

The final tallies indicate that Mr. Weah of CDC polled a total of 722,185 votes representing 61.5 per cent, while Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party (UP) finished with 457,579 or 28.5 per cent.

With this, Mr. Weah will serve as the 25th president of Liberia with effect from the third working Monday of January.

The president-elect, who is a national sporting hero, defeated 21 other presidential candidates in the October 10 general elections with 38.4 per cent of the total votes cast.

• International Scene

Trump recognises Jerusalem as Isreal’s capital

President Donald Trump is no doubt known to be a controversial leader the United States ever had. He however pulled the string again on December 6, as he announced the recognition Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal.

Prior the US president’s declaration stating its intent to cite its embassy in 

Jerusalem, Tel aviv was known to be the capital of Israel since its independence in 1948. 

Shortly after the declaration, spontaneous reactions from all over the world became rife as those who were for and against the declaration could not hold back their feelings. 

Most of the reactions were in sheer opposition to it. 

The reason is not far-fetch, however. It was simply because of the likely turn of events owing to the discord between the Isrealis and Palestinians. 

President Trump on Wednesday December 6, formally recognized 

Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing nearly seven decades of 

American foreign policy and setting in motion a plan to move the United 

States Embassy from Tel Aviv to the fiercely contested Holy City.

“Today we finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel’s 

capital,” Mr. Trump said from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.

 “This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality. It is also 

the right thing to do. It’s something that has to be done.”

The United Nations kicked against the move with votes from sizeable number of countries as they maintained dissent stance on the declaration. 

Israel however appreciated Trump for the decision.

• Sport 

The Super Eagles on November 14 made history having defeated arch rival Argentina in an international friendly.

The game held in Krasnodar, Russia. 

The national team came from 2-0 down to beat Argentina 4-2.

A brace from Alex Iwobi and a goal each from debutant Bryan Idowu, who came on as a substitute, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who also bagged two assists, secured the impressive win for the Eagles.

Meanwhile, both teams have, again, been drawn together following the World Cup draw.

Nigeria Politics Online