SOME BIG POLITICAL STORIES IN 2024

SOME BIG POLITICAL STORIES IN 2024

The year 2024 was full of intriguing and high-stakes events that shaped the politics and power dynamics of the country.

Below we bring you some of the biggest political stories of the year

1. Concern as President Tinubu falls while climbing a parade vehicle for Democracy Day celebration

President Tinubu’s health once again became a major talking point in 2024 when he tripped and fell while trying to climb the truck on his way to give his speech at Eagles Square in Abuja on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, to mark Democracy Day. A viral video showed the President losing his footing while stepping into the truck. Many Nigerians expressed concern about the president’s ability to function in a highly demanding job his role requires of him as the president. But the presidency quickly dismissed this as a minor issue. But president’s misstep dominated the public discourse for days on end fuelling speculations about his health condition. The Presidents fall also feed into the politics of 2027 with many questioning if the president health and even demanding he resigns on health groud

2. Betta Edu: We Will Shut Down Abuja If You Don’t Comply – Tinubu Given 48-Hour Ultimatum To Suspend Tunji-Ojo

The biggest scandal in the current administration unraveled and took a new dimension when the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was linked to Beta Edu’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. The Minister of Interior was allegedly linked to a scandalous contract at the Ministry. An opposition party had warned that failure to suspend the minister within 48 hours would lead to them mobilizing youths across the nation to shut down Abuja on Monday, 15th January 2024.

3. Tinubu Issues Fresh Order, As VP Shettima Meets Petroleum Minister, Others, Over Petrol Price Hike

As fuel scarcity and the high cost of pump price bite harder with its attendant hardship, President Bola Tinubu mandated the Vice President, Kashim Shettima to convene a high-level meeting aimed at addressing the challenges in the oil and gas industry, especially the prevailing issues of pricing and scarcity.

4. Nigerian Military Names New Acting Chief Of Army Staff

When the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja suddenly went on leave in 2024, the Nigerian Army announced a replacement in the name of Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim. The development followed reports that the COAS who later succumbed to ill-health who had been down currently incapacitated due to ill health.

5. Simon Ekpa, four others arrested in Finland over Terrorism, Violence in Nigeria

IPOB leader was finally arrested in Finland on terror related activities. This was after months of pressure by the Nigerian government. Ekpa’s arrest came after months of unrest in the southeast region which has been a hot bed for violence occasioned by the agitation for Biafra which Ekpa championed after the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu who has been in incarceration for treason

6. Tinubu approves N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers

The contentious issue of minimum wage was finally put to rest in 2024 after the signing of the minimum wage bill by the president. This marked a significant success for the Nigeria Labour Congress and Nigerian workers

7. Protest Breaks Out At Disbanded Kano Emirate

When the former Governor of Kano state Abdullahi Umar Ganduje deposed the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi in 2020, he only laid the ground for a future controversy. In 2024 when the NNPP governor assumed office, he quickly disbanded the five emirates council and repealed the law used to dethrone Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II in 2020

8. BREAKING: Protesters Shot Dead in Niger State as Demonstrations Turn Bloody

The hunger and protest against bad governance that spread across the country in 2024 turned bloody in Niger state as six people lost their lives and several others injured. The victims were shot by bullets fired by security operatives attempting to disperse a group of protesters who had barricaded a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway. According to eyewitnesses, the protesters, mostly youths, outnumbered the initial team of policemen at the scene, prompting a reinforcement team to be deployed. The situation quickly spiralled out of control, leading to pandemonium.

9. APP Sweeps Rivers LG Elections in Opobo, Wins Chairmanship and Councillorships
10. Governor Sim Fubara delivered a major blow to his adversary and godfather, former governor and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The Action People’s Party (APP) secured a landslide victory in the Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area elections, with Rt. Hon. (Dr) Enyiada Cookey-Gam emerged as the winner of the Chairmanship election. This victory is poised to change the political equation in Rivers state as the two political gladiators battle for the control of the state.

10. Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure arrested
11. One of the biggest political stories of 2024 was the arrest of the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure by Security Operatives. Abure had been under fire following accusations of embezzling over N3 Billion Party funds. His spat with the Presidential candidate of the party Peter is also well-known. The feud in Labour Party will definitely shape presidential politics in 2027