2023 has been a year marked by significant political upheavals, but three scandals have stood out for their impact and the controversies they sparked. These incidents not only dominated headlines but also raised serious questions about the ethical standards in politics. Let’s delve into these scandals, which are crucial for understanding the political climate of the year.
Obi’s ‘Religious War’ phone call with Oyedepo
In a shocking revelation, a leaked telephone conversation between Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, was made public. This leak, courtesy of People’s Gazette, happened on April 1. In the conversation, Obi is heard asking Oyedepo to help spread his message to Christians in the south-west and parts of north-central Nigeria. He referred to Oyedepo affectionately as “daddy” and described the recent presidential election as a “religious war.”
This incident has drawn criticism, with Obi’s detractors accusing him of playing politics of ethnicity and religion. The leaked audio seems to substantiate these claims. Despite his denial and challenge of the election results in court, this scandal has raised significant concerns about the use of religious and ethnic sentiments in Nigerian politics.
Ladi Adebutu’s N2 Billion vote-buying scheme
May brought another political scandal to the forefront. Premium Times reported that Ladi Adebutu, a governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, was indicted by the Nigeria Police Force for money laundering and vote-buying. According to the police, Adebutu used two billion naira to sway voters in his favor during the March 18 election.
Adebutu, who fled Nigeria citing threats to his life, refuted these allegations, claiming neither he nor his party engaged in voter inducement. This scandal highlights the persistent issue of vote-buying in Nigerian politics, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
Alison-Madueke’s corruption case
Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Nigerian minister and OPEC president, was charged with bribery offenses in August following an investigation by the National Crime Agency. She was a central figure in the Nigerian government from 2010 to 2015. The allegations against her include accepting bribes for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts.
Alison-Madueke allegedly received benefits including cash, luxury travel, and use of London properties. She appeared in a London court in October to face these charges. Despite her denials, these allegations have persisted since she departed from office in 2015, casting a shadow over her political legacy.