The political landscape of Nigeria witnessed significant upheavals in 2023, marked by a historic presidential election, cabinet reshuffles, and a series of corruption scandals. Amidst the victories, some politicians faced defeats, disappointments, and public disgrace. Here are the 10 notable political losers of 2023:
1. Atiku Abubakar: The former vice president and PDP presidential candidate faced a substantial defeat, trailing behind Bola Tinubu by over 1.8 million votes. His legal challenge at the Supreme Court was dismissed, and he confronted allegations of money laundering and tax evasion in the UK and the US.
2. Peter Obi: Despite his reputation for good governance, the former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s presidential candidate secured the third position in the election with 25.4% of the vote, struggling to garner support from the Northern and Western regions.
3. Rabiu Kwankwaso: The New Nigeria Peoples Party presidential candidate and former Kano State governor finished fourth, winning only his home state and facing a political rift with his former deputy, Abdullahi Ganduje.
4. Ike Ekweremadu: The former deputy senate president and PDP member received a jail sentence of nine years and eight months in the UK for involvement in an organ trafficking plot, resulting in the loss of his parliamentary seat and assets.
5. Chinyere Igwe: A former House of Representatives member from the PDP, Igwe was arrested for money laundering, caught with $498,100 in cash on the eve of the election, along with a list of intended bribes.
6. Oyibo Chukwu: The LP senatorial candidate in Enugu East was tragically shot dead after a campaign rally. The police attributed the murder to the separatist group IPOB.
7. Samuel Ortom: A member of the G5 PDP governors, Ortom lost his bid for the Benue North West Senatorial District in the National Assembly to Titus Zam of the APC.
8. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi: Former governor and G5 member Ugwuanyi lost his attempt to represent Enugu North Senatorial District to Okechukwu Ezea of the Labour Party.
9. Nasir El-Rufai: Initially nominated by President Tinubu for a federal ministerial position, El-Rufai faced Senate rejection during screening over security concerns, prompting the withdrawal of his nomination.
10. Ben Ayade: The former Cross River State governor’s Senate aspirations were thwarted by Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe of the PDP, who secured victory with 76,145 votes against Ayade’s 56,595.
