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Top 10 Political Issues That Dominated 2022

Published

3 years ago

December 24, 2022

The year 2022 has been dominated by political activities as politicians and political parties are gearing up for the 2023 general elections.

All the major political parties conducted primaries for elections to fill different positions amid the challenges posed by the electoral act.

In this report, DAILY POST reviews the top moments and events as far as politics is concerned in the year 2022.

In no particular order, these events and moments shaped the year, in terms of magnitude and outlook—in most cases, they dominated news reportage.

2022 Electoral Act

This law is shaping the political landscape in Nigeria since it was enacted. Several political appointees had to resign to contest the primaries, while some had to let go of their political ambition to stay on the job.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami had to forgo his ambition to contest the Kebbi State governorship race. Others like Timipriye Sylva and Chris Ngige forfeited their N100 million presidential nomination form of the APC to hold on to their ministerial position.

Godswill Akpabio, Ahmad Lawan and several others lost out due to the act, as new provisions in the law have changed party primaries.

Tinubu’s ‘Emilokan Speech’

Out of nowhere, Bola Tinubu, one of the then 23 aspirants jostling for the presidential ticket of the APC, let loose and gave that famous Speech in Abeokuta, where he declared that it is his turn to become the candidate of the ruling party.

In that famous diatribe, Mr Tinubu held nothing back and spared no one. From President Muhammadu Buhari to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Dapo Abiodun. ‘Everyone chop breakfast’ as they say on Twitter.

The former Lagos State Governor reminded President Muhammadu Buhari of his past electoral defeats before 2015.

For Osinbajo, he was reminded of how he became the vice president, while Governor Abiodun earned the “Eleyi of Eyi”. Many had predicted that the speech would have been the end of Tinubu but he went on to become the candidate of his party.

Some of the Yoruba words he used during the speech—like Emilokan—became campaign a slogan. Even Governor Abiodun has embraced Eleyi (This one).

Peter Obi and the birth of Obidents

Ten months ago, it would have been hard to put Labour Party in the conversation of the likely winner of the presidential race. The decamping of Peter Obi from the PDP to the Labour Party and the birth of the Obidient Movement has completely changed the 2023 presidential race.

According to some polls, Obi is ahead in the battle to replace Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja. The Obidients have held rallies in several cities across the country and dominated the political discourse on social media.

While many had predicted that the movement would fizzle out, less than 60 days before the election, the movement remains formidable. Mr Obi and his movement have dominated 2022.

Tambuwal Speech at PDP primary

Shortly before the commencement of voting at the presidential primaries of the PDP at the Moshood Abiola’s stadium, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, stood up to address the audience at the convention. The short speech that ended with the endorsement of Atiku Abubakar changed the course of the main opposition party.

Atiku won the primaries, however, the crack is threatening the chances of the party winning the 2023 presidential election.

That speech is believed to have changed the party. Wike and four other governors have joined forces to form the G5 Governors, who are openly challenging their party.

Jonathan is coming

Despite not being a member of the ruling party, former President Goodluck Jonathan was linked to the presidential ticket of the APC all through the weeks leading to the APC primaries.

It would be recalled that some people reportedly bought the N100 million nomination and expression of interest forms for Jonathan.

All through, it appeared as though Jonathan would join the race, but he did not.

Tinubu’s victory

Tinubu, Asiwaju, Ahmed, Amaechi, Tinubu, Asiwaju……these names echoed in this order at the Eagle Square in Abuja during the counting of votes. In the end, Tinubu, who had earlier gotten some other contestants to step down for him, won the primaries.

His 1271 votes were enough to defeat the Vice President, senate president and several others.

Threat to impeach Buhari

In July, several opposition lawmakers in the two Chambers of the National Assembly gave President Buhari an ultimatum; fix insecurity or be removed from office.

To underscore the seriousness of the matter, some senators of the ruling party like Elisha Abbo and Umar Bulkachuwa also showed solidarity with the opposition.

However, by the time the lawmakers resumed from recess, the matter was dropped.

Wike’s band

The famous musical band of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State could have won the Grammy for political music if there were any such award.

All through the year, they dropped melodious hits on a ‘back to back’ rate. Some of their tracks like “As e dey pain them”, “Agreement is agreement”, “Big man no dey for size” and others are major hit songs in Nigeria.

The band has been adjudged the best political musical group for 2022, even ahead of the Sanwo-Olu Babes.

Million Man March

One innovation to political campaigns in Nigeria is the “million-man rally”. Supporters of different candidates have done different marching for their candidates.

Initially, Obidents staged such rallies to show support for Mr Peter Obi, however, others have also held similar rallies.

The million-man rally definitely featured prominently in 2022.

Okupe’s arrest

The Director General of the Obi/Datti campaign, Doyin Okupe resigned during the week after a court convicted him in connection with the Armed funds.

Although Mr Okupe opted to pay a fine, however, he had to resign as his continuous stay in the campaign appears to contradict the new order the Obidient Movement is preaching.
DAILY POST

Headline

British Family Accused Of Boarding Dead Grandmother On EasyJet Flight

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

A British family has been accused of trying to board a dead relative onto an EasyJet flight from Málaga, Spain, to London Gatwick on Thursday, passengers said.

The woman, reportedly 89 years old, was wheeled onto the plane by five family members, who told airline staff she was unwell and had fallen asleep.

Witnesses said the woman was pushed in a wheelchair to the rear of the plane and lifted into her seat. Some claimed they overheard a family member tell a boarding clerk, “It’s OK, she’s just tired,” adding, “It’s OK, we’re doctors.”

Just before takeoff, the cabin crew realized the woman had died, and the plane was turned around, delaying the flight by 12 hours.

Petra Boddington, a passenger, said: “easyJet, when did you start letting dead people onto planes? Seriously!” Another, Tracy-Ann Kitching, added: “I saw her being wheeled onto the plane; someone was holding her head as they passed me! A doctor on board confirmed that was already dead when they sat her down.”

EasyJet has denied that a deceased person boarded the plane. The airline said the passenger had a fit-to-fly certificate and was alive when she boarded.

“The flight returned to the stand prior to take-off due to a customer on board requiring urgent medical assistance. The flight was met by emergency services, but sadly the customer passed away,” a spokesperson said.

The Guardia Civil in Málaga confirmed officers attended the aircraft, and the woman was declared dead on board. No arrests have been made.

Headline

Russian Strike On Odesa Region Kills Eight, Injures 27

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service has reported at least eight people killed and 27 others injured on Friday night after a Russian ballistic missile strike hit the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack targeted port infrastructure facilities in the town of Pivdenne, near Odesa, and damaged nearby civilian vehicles.

The strike came one week after much of Odesa was left without power, heat, and water following a “severe” aerial assault.

“Some of the injured were on a bus that was at the epicenter of the shelling. Trucks caught fire in the parking lot, and cars were also damaged,” the State Emergency Service said.

Emergency officials said the deaths occurred at a port infrastructure facility. Medical teams and first responders were deployed after the strike, but their work was disrupted by “ongoing air raid alerts,” according to Oleh Kiper, head of Odesa’s regional administration.

Russia has carried out repeated attacks on Odesa in recent days, damaging port facilities, civilian vessels, and key infrastructure.

Two major bridges linking the northern and southern parts of the Odesa region have also been hit, with repairs under way, Kiper said.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported a “massive” drone attack on the southern Mykolayiv region, which damaged civilian infrastructure and vehicles. No casualties were reported.

Odesa, Ukraine’s largest seaport and a major hub in the Black Sea region, has been a frequent target since the start of the war.

Last week, civilian, energy, and industrial sites in the city suffered extensive damage after what regional officials described as “one of the enemy’s most severe airstrikes,” leaving many areas without power and water.

Russia’s Defence Ministry has not commented on the attack.

Speaking hours before the strike during his annual Direct Line call-in show, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was yet to “see Ukraine’s readiness for peace”.

“[Russia] is ready for negotiations and for ending the conflict via peaceful means,” Putin said, adding that it was up to Russia’s “Western opponents” to end the war.

(CNN)

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Aircraft Crashes In Owerri With Four Persons Onboard

Published

6 days ago

December 17, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

A Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, has crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

The aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.

The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, said the agency had been notified of the crash.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.

The statement said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly. Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.

“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”

The NSIB said it has officially activated its investigation protocols in line with its statutory mandate

The Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., sympathised with the management of Skypower Express over the incident and expressed relief that no lives were lost.

Badeh Jr. added that the Bureau’s investigation team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the crash site and commence a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident.

Two days ago, 11 persons narrowly escaped death as a private jet crash-landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Sunday morning.

The occupants, including passengers and cabin crew, were safely evacuated amid an intense atmosphere, eyewitnesses told The Guardian.

The private jet, owned by Flybird Aviation, crash-landed at about 9:30 a.m. while approaching Kano Airport en route to Abuja.

The incident attracted urgent attention, with emergency staff and other stakeholders converging at the runway to render rescue operations.

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is yet to release an official statement on the incident. Unofficial sources disclosed that the passengers have been taken to an unknown destination.

Several aircraft incidents have occurred at Kano Airport, with several lives lost.

The last incident occurred in May 2002, when an EAS Airline aircraft departed the runway at Aminu Kano International Airport at 1:29 p.m. local time en route to Lagos.