2018 Top 5 Most Controversial Politicians In Nigeria

The Nigerian political scene, no doubt has become a platform for comic relief and unnecessary humour. Some Nigerian politicians do not seem to care about their reputation anymore as they now engage in hate speech, sedition, baseless humour and questionable attitudes which in turn offers them a barrage of negative reports in the media, therefore birthing controversies.

Some of the Nigerian politicians who have repeatedly been controversial are;

Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye is a Nigerian politician, a Senator, and member of the 8th National Assembly representing Kogi West Senatorial District. He is also a member of the People’s Democratic Party and currently the Chairman Senate Committee in FCT. Melaye has sprung up various controversies, some of which are criticising Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomole for “importing his wife” rather than marrying a Nigerian woman. He has also threatened to beat up Senator Oluremi Tinubu and ‘impregnate’ her on the floor of the Senate. Melaye was as well involved in various certificates scandals in 2017 including his claim to have obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from Ahmadu Bello University and a degree from the Boston-based Ivy League Harvard University in the United States where he claimed to have obtained the degree but is yet to be verified. Eventually, he was cleared by the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Ibrahim Garba who appeared before the Senate Committee to confirm that Senator Dino Melaye did graduate from the school, although under a different name. He was also previously married to Tokunbo Melaye for ten years but she filed for divorce after a domestic violence controversy where she claimed that he beat her up and pointed a gun to her head. Melaye is also known to be a lover of very fast and fancy cars and motorbikes and loves to flaunt them all over social media.

Ayo Fayose 

At the mere mention of the ex-Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose’s name, what definitely comes to mind is a man who is an unapologetic critic of the Federal Government and is not afraid to show it. He also generated controversy recently when he was allegedly teargassed and pictures of him sitting on the floor were all over the media.  He is a major anti-fan of the Buhari led administration and he shows his displeasure publicly and without any care. His most popular controversy was during the 2015 presidential election when he published an advert picturing all dead Nigerian northern president and implying that President Muhammadu Buhari might die in power. Also, upon President Buhari’s medical vacation, Fayose declared that the president would not return to the country alive. However, when President Buhari invited all governors to the Villa on his return from London, Fayose was found wanting.

Lai Muhammed

Lai Mohammed is currently Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture. As a result of his oath to the Federal Government to  Lai Mohammed will go any length in his bid to see that every wrong impression about the Buhari-led government is corrected, hence, making certain statements which some Nigerians have believe are obvious lies from the pit of hell. as a result, he has been tagged “liar liar Muhammed” and any statement issued by him is seen as lies and contradictory statements to cover up the ills of the government and therefore, never believed.

Rochas Okoroacha

Rochas Okoroacha is the Governor of Imo state particularly popular for erecting the statues of African presidents in the state. He recently, appointed his sister, Ogechi Ololo as the Commissioner for Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment. this move caused a lot of backlashes particularly because he is allegedly one of those governors owing workers salaries. In August 2017, Okorocha ordered the demolition of Eke Ukwu market which allegedly led to the killing of ten-year-old SomtoChukwu Ibeanusi.

Bukola Saraki

Bukola Saraki is a Nigerian politician who has been the President of  Nigeria’s Senate since 2015. He is also one of the Presidential aspirants in the forthcoming 2019 presidential elections. He is an anti-fan of the Buhari led administration and has publicly said voting out Buhari is the “only way to ensure national unity and security”. He also threw a subtle shade at President Buhari when he said: “we need a leadership that would ensure justice and fair distribution of national appointments”. He also added that what Nigeria needs is a leadership that will ensure prosperity, one that is in the best interest of Nigeria and a President that has the youthfulness and the energy to deliver.