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ProfRem

Guest
2017 has been an eventful year in Nigerian politics with prominent players on the dramatic scene.

Their actions shaped the course of events for the year, and we can no doubt look forward to what they would do in 2018. Some of these politicians are:

1. Atiku Abubakar: The latter part of 2017 saw Atiku Abubakar's strong desire to clinch on to power by 2019. The former Vice President has been making preps in the nation's political space with several comments and criticisms of the current administration.

His dramatic cross-over to the main opposition party and comment at the Peoples Democratic Party, conference shows that the Waziri of Adamawa is ready to make bigger moves in 2018 ahead of the February 2019 Presidential election.

2. Ayo Fayose: The stomach infrastructure Governor is seen as of the main opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari central government. He is the current Head of PDP governors' forum and chieftain of the party.

Mr. Fayose is perceived to be the eyeing the Vice Presidential seat of his party for the 2019 Presidential election.

In 2017 alone, Fayose attacked the federal government on several issues to the current withdrawal of $1 billion dollar from the Excess Crude Account to fight insurgency.

3. Bukola Saraki – the current Chairman of the National Assembly – is another gladiator in 2019. Buki as fondly called by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu worked against the technicalities of the party, APC, in 2015 and 2016 to emerge the Senate President and was confronted with suits and allegations. He faced the Nigerian courts, confronted the Code of Conduct Bureau on issues bordering his asset declaraton. His matter with the Nigerian customs and the head paved way for the suspension of and removal of Senate leader, Ali Ndume from is seat.

In a recent poll by Premium Times, most repondents believed that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki is most likely to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of 2019 election.

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4. Yemi Osinbajo
- The current Vice President acted as acting President during President Muhammadu Buhari's sick leave. During this period, the acting President penetrated the Niger Delta region to stablise the dying economy of the nation. The country witnessed its historical recession in 2016 owing to the short fall in oil price and attacks on oil installation in the oil rich region.

Though, many believed that Osinbajo does have the political charisma to succeed the 75-year-old leader but he made several political moves in 2017 that may be trigger discussion and option ahead of 2019 election.

5. Goodluck Jonathan - the former Vice President is a good political gladiator to watch out in 2018. Jonathan, having learnt several lessons along political lines during his tenure as Vice President and President of Nigeria, now serve as a political godfather to the decision and input in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The outcome of the PDP convention was believed to be from the input of the former President and governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike.

The South-south and south-east are the key zones of the former President and 2019 beckons.

6. Bola Tinubu is the face of South west that every political wing that align with ahead of the 2019 presidential race.

Tinubu was an instrument for the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan and as well align with various parties to form the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC that ousted the 16-year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

7. Muhammadu Buhari – it is no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari may be seeking re-election even as the party chieftains want formal process to still take place.

The President that started this year with sickness and medical attention which knocked him out for several weeks recently appears healthy and agile to take the task on.

Surprisingly, the President at the last APC NEC meeting assured his party members of taking them into cognizance in next Ministerial portfolios and Board organization. Statements many analysts believed is tilted towards a re-election bid.

The President's action and activities in 2018 is another great thing to watch out for as the country prepares for the general elections in 2019.
 
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