In a few hours 2015 will be gone forever. Before the year ends, let’s have one last look at the events that shaped this wonderful year.
1. Election Campaign
Elections in developing countries are never easy. Well, Nigeria’s 2015 elections were not easy. Right from the moment campaign began to when it ended, it was almost war. Prophets of doom predicted the end of our beloved country, foreign journalists flew in droves hoping to get photos and videos of us behaving badly ; Thank God they went home disappointed.
Some of the things that happened during the campaigns include:
- Fayose’s Buhari ‘death’ advert
- Buhari’s WAEC certificate scandal
The Nigerian Army came out to say that it was not in possession of the West African School Certificate, WASC, of the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) enrolled into the Nigerian Military Training College in 1962.
- Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo tears PDP membership card
- Hate Speech galore
You know how we love to run our mouths when engaged in a public brawl. Well, Nigerian politicians did not disappoint. Tensions were high all through the campaign period and parts of the country were pitched against each other. The opposition , All Progressives Congress, APC even threatened to form a parallel government if they lost the election.
- Election postponement
Just when the election date drew closer, it was postponed. As expected, all sort of propaganda flew around during this period many speculated that elections may never hold.
2. March Elections
The Presidential election finally held in March. It was an historic election as four time contestant, Muhammadu Buhari emerged winner and got a congratulatory call from then President Goodluck Jonathan. The world was disappointed, how dare they conduct peaceful elections in Nigeria, how can they?
Although the elections were not perfect, it is said to be one of the most free and fair elections ever witnessed in Africa.
Photo: Buhari receiving Goodluck Jonathan’s call
Let’s not forget the drama between INEC Boss, Attahiru Jega and former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe.
3. Handover and Inauguration
Goodluck Jonathan officially handed over power to Muhammadu Buhari on May 29. It was a beautiful ceremony, thousand who had lost hope in democracy dared to dream again.
4. National Assembly power tussle
A mini-coup rocked Nigeria’s 8th National assembly as elected officers went rogue and disobeyed their party. It was a drama filled tussle and we saw our lawmakers disgrace themselves one more time on National Tv.
5. Ministerial Appointment
This year, Nigerians were made to anticipate and celebrate ministerial appointments as one of the good deeds of the government. It took the new government several months after inauguration to form a cabinet. When a cabinet was finally formed, it was filled with the same old recycled hands Nigerians already know.
6. Political Deaths
Some of Nigeria’s foremost politicians died this year.
7. Inconclusive elections
The last part of 2015 has been filled with inconclusive elections. No major election conducted in December was concluded as scheduled; it has always been inconclusive.
