MEET 10 MOST NIGERIAN STUBBORN POLITICIANS

Stubbornness may be viewed in different ways depending on the situation. Some people are viewed as positively stubborn persons while some others are perceived as negatively stubborn individuals. In this context, CIVILIANNEWS did a research on 10 Nigerian political gladiators who have achieved their goals through their styles of being hard nuts to crack. Read on…

1. CHIBUIKE AMAECHI: Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, through his celebrated rancor with the number one family of Nigeria conveniently falls into this category. He singlehandedly fought the president and his wife due to their seeming involvement in the rulership of Rivers State. It is noteworthy that both Gov. Rotimi and Dame Patience Jonathan are from Okrika hence they are both kin. But what people believe is that Mrs. Jona should have concentrated on the affairs of her husband’s state, Bayelsa where she is a permanent secretary. It is now left for Gov. Rotimi to continue with his ruggedness in order to retain both his seat and relevance come 2015.
2. GEN. MOHAMMODU BUHARI: Though he may look calm and unruffled, the former head of state and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is another stubborn politician. He is gradually attaining the enviable record of America’s former president Abraham Lincoln who contested many times before realizing his dream. Buhari is indeed a regular customer in Nigeria’s presidential elections since the resumption of democracy in 1999, but till date he has not been able to secure victory. Anyway, 2015 is another opportunity as Nigerians wait eagerly if the leaders of the APC would hand over their sole ticket to the Daura-born ex-soldier, who was “Maradonically” booted out of power in 1983 by the wiser IBB.
3. ORJI UZOR KALU: Ex-governor of Abia State is another politically strong man who cannot be underrated. During his tenure as the number one landlord of Abia, he embarked on several people-oriented projects and also contributed immensely to the huge success of Enyimba Football Club towards their pursuit of the African Champions League double triumph. Kalu, till date is well feared and respected in Abia’s political terrain and he is also eyeing Nigeria’s most coveted office, the Akinola Aguda House in Aso Rock. Orji Kalu is reported to have set his machinery ready for this aim.
4. Chris UBAH: Enfant terrible of Anambra’s politics, Ubah is indeed a one-man riot squad. He made the tenure of ex-governor Chris Ngige a terrifying one by having links with the kidnap of a whole number one citizen of a state, the first and only time it would happen in the country’s polity. Today, Ubah is still waxing stronger in his political stubbornness. He remains one of those who would decide the outcome of the 2015 election in Anambra which happens to be one of the most politically volatile states in Nigeria.
5. BOLA AHMED TINUBU: The Jagaban Borgu himself is very much known by all Nigerians to be a very stubborn politician with a rugged go-getting approach. He stood his ground when ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to give him Lagos State allocation for years. Tinubu, through his doggedness went ahead to create additional LCDAs which eventually are still coping with the economic situation of the state till date. The huge influences he wades politically also reflects in his wife, Remi emerging a senator in the National Assembly, his son-in-law, a House of Representatives member and his daughter, Folashade the Iyaloja of Lagos. These achievements can never be waved aside by anyone.
6. OLUSEGN OBASANJO: Otta farmer and ex-president, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo is indeed a political “Area Father”. Baba Iyabo emerges the country’s numero uno citizen at the dawn of democracy on May 29, 1999. He ruled the country with both mild and iron hands for eight years before he stylishly planted an ailing Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his successor. OBJ, as baba is fondly called, is perceived by different people in diverse ways. He stepped on so many seemingly untouchable toes ranging from dubious businessmen (419), politicians and other corrupt people. Baba Iyabo also got involved in many controversial issues that cannot be showcased on this page due to space constraint.
7. IYIOLA OMISORE: Recently defeated guber hopeful of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore is an original member of this list. His link with the killing of former attorney general, Bola Ige in 2001 affected his victory during the August 9, 2014 election. Many political watchers are of the view that, perhaps, if he was not linked with that unfortunate scene, he might have had a leeway to Oke-fia, Oshogbo government house. Omisore has also been linked with several other political fracases both in his abode and within the country.
8. AYO FAYOSE: Mr. “Second Chance Governor” as some political analysts recently renamed him, is another rugged politician to the core. His outputs and characters easily sell him out as a no-nonsense political jingoist. During his first tenure as governor of Ekiti State, he was reported to have challenged a University of Ado-Ekiti student to open fisticuffs. But give it to him, Fayose has proven to Nigerians that he is a grassroots politician.
9. STELLA ODUAH: Though women are more perceived as weaker bones by Biblical standards, but some have proven to be stronger bones with their acts. Stella Oduah-Ogienwonyi happens to be the only female member of this group due to her dexterity and act of “I don’t care”.Recall that she was enmeshed in a corrupt case of purchasing two cars for a whopping N255 million; she waved the challenge aside and after being sacked as aviation minister she is now hoping to contest for the Senate. Some who also worked with her at her oil and gas company, Sea Petroleum also describe her as an iron lady.
10. RAUF AREGBESOLA: Osun Governor Ogbeni Aregbesola is also a man to be feared in the area of politics in Nigeria. He is reported to have forced the PDP to select Senator Iyiola Omisore as their governorship candidate in Osun State which took place on August 9, 2014. Ogbeni, however, emerged the winner but not without series of rugged campaigns and money-spending. The comrade activist was also reported to have once slept in a casket in order to evade thugs attack in Iwo.