Nigeria indeed had no shortage of big news stories in 2014, including high-profile scandals, political drama and economic upheaval, fight against the Ebola epidemic, Boko Haram,The Chibok girls and the #BringBackOurGirls movement etc.
And every single day all through the year, your favourite website,
NigerianEye kept readers abreast with happenings in Nigeria and around the world.
Below is a round up of the
Top 20 NigerianEye Controversial News Stories From Nigeria In The Year 2014
1. Ebola disease lands in Nigeria (July, 2014):
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| Sawyer |
The name Patrick Sawyer sent shivers down the spine of millions of Nigerians in 2014, the 'untouchable man' who brought the deadly Ebola disease to Nigeria
American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer arrived Lagos from Monrovia and it was reported that he looked “terribly ill” and was subjected to medical examination in a private hospital in Lagos.
His confirmatory test results for Ebola infection were still pending and it eventually proved that Sawyer had Ebola.
Former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, broke the news at a world press conference in Abuja. A lot followed, including burials anywhere in the country requiring a mandatory death certificate.
Nigeria’s request for an experimental drug was turned down. Several Ebola cure claims ranging from consumption of bitter kola to salt water surfaced and fizzled out. In the end, Nigeria confirmed a total of 19 cases, of whom seven died and 12 survived, hailed as heroes.
The country effectively contained the virus, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it Ebola-free 42 days after the country’s last infectious contact with a confirmed or suspected case. The struggle lasted exactly 93 days.
2. Abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok (April, 2014):
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| The abducted Chibok girls |
Insurgents infamously stormed a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, where students were writing their final examinations and abducted over 200 girls.
Security forces failed to immediately go after them. Later, leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, in a video claimed responsibility, jeering that some of the girls have been married off, while others converted to Islam.
The abduction attracted national and international outrage, culminating in protests in some parts of Nigeria and around the world, made popular by the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.
At least 56 of the abducted girls escaped on their own at various times, while the rest are believed to be held by the terrorists in Sambisa Forest. President Jonathan has vowed to have the girls released, but it's over 250 days since the outrageous kidnap and the world is still hoping.
3. The #BringBackOurGirls hashtag (April, 2014):
From US First Lady, Michelle Obama to Hillary Clinton to Hollywood actor, Forest Whitaker, American singer, Alicia Keys, Kim Kardashian and even the popular Nobel-peace prize winner, Malala Yousafzai the world stood with Nigeria under the umbrella of arguably one of the biggest Twitter hashtags in history.
The hashtag which called for the return of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria was tweeted over a million times - going from a local trend to a global one.
The #BringBackOurGirls campaign was started in Nigeria, by a group of campaigners in Abuja who wanted to exert pressure on the authorities to do more to find the girls and bring them to safety. Ibrahim M Abdullahi, a lawyer in Abuja, was one of the first to use the hashtag. "Initially this was not a co-ordinated campaign. It was a number of individuals in Nigeria tweeting to raise awareness in the hope that the international community would eventually take notice."
And oh yes the world noticed.
They've set up an official Twitter account
@BBOG_Nigeria
4. Nigeria's 'fake' ceasefire deal with Boko Haram (October, 2014):
On October 17, 2014 millions of Nigerians jumped for joy as the federal government announced a ceasefire deal with Boko Haram.
Many were beginning to imagine that finally, years of ruthless killing of several thousand citizens would have been halted, and the over 200 abducted Chibok girls would have been freed.
It was announced by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, who said: “A ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the federal government and Boko Haram.” The President’s Principal Secretary, Hassan Tukur, told BBC Focus on Africa that an agreement to end hostilities had been reached after talks with the violent group. Tukur said Boko Haram announced a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday and the government had responded. He said the sect assured that they have the girls unharmed and that they would release them.
Sadly, Boko Haram held out for no longer than half-a-dozen hours before unleashing an attack on Abadam Village in Borno State, killing a resident. Very early the following day, eight people were mowed down in Dzur Village, also in Borno, consequently extinguishing whatever hopes anyone nursed of a ceasefire.
So, within a day of the ceasefire announcement, delirious Nigerians had become crestfallen and had started asking: "Was there really a ceasefire?"
It was not until another two weeks, though, that the leader of the group, Abubakar Shekau, dealt the coup de grace to a peace deal that had quickly gained international traction.
"We have not made ceasefire with anyone. What is our business with negotiation? We did not negotiate with anyone... It's a lie; it's a lie. We will not negotiate," he said in a video released on October 31.
5. ‘Missing’ $20 billion oil money (February, 2014):
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| Former CBN Gov. Lamido Sanusi |
After former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor (now Emir of Kano) Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi told the Senate Committee on Finance that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had yet to remit $20bn to government coffers, all hell was let loose.
He, in October 2013, lit the fire in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, alleging that the NNPC failed to remit about $49.8 billion oil revenue into the Federation Account, saying the said money was missing and needed investigation.
He had stated that the NNPC failed since 2012 to account for nearly $50 billion in crude oil sales that should, by law, have been remitted to government coffers through the CBN. Sanusi was dissatisfied with the explanations made by the NNPC authorities over the allegations though he acknowledged that Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had made some explanations on its whereabouts.
6. Jonathan suspends former CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (February,2014):
President Jonathan suspended Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as CBN governor, claiming that his tenure had been characterised by acts of financial recklessness and misconduct.
The president said he was concerned about far-reaching irregularities under Malam Sanusi’s watch, which have distracted the apex bank away from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate.
Before his suspension, there had been plans for the ex-CBN governor to go on retirement leave but it was not to be.
He however did not exit the financial stage without responding to the 35-count allegations against him by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and the federal government.
7. Sanusi emerges Emir of Kano (June, 2014):
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| SANUSI: Emir of Kano |
The intrigues, politics and horse-trading that eventually culminated in the appointment of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the 57th Emir of Kano didn’t pass without incident in the state.
The whole nation was at a standstill as everyone anxiously awaited the announcement of the new Emir.
Word went out that Sanusi Ado Bayero had been chosen unanimously as the new emir. Even Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, tweeted the decision early Sunday morning and congratulated Bayero but the state governor on the other hand would not accept that verdict. He allegedly pressured the kingmakers even as the state government issued a public denial that Bayero had been chosen.
When the kingmakers announced Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new emir, a protest by Ciroma’s supporters broke out. They took to the streets and marched towards Government House but security operatives calmed them down. Other controversies would follow, like the fact that even after he had been given his staff of office and appointment letter, the new emir was still reported to be receiving guests and well-wishers in the Government House, instead of his palace.
Few months afterwards the new Emir was spotted with President Jonathan quashing rumours of dissension between the two.
8. 19 applicants killed at Immigration Service recruitment exercise (March, 2014):
Nineteen applicants were killed and scores injured at the 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment exercise, a tragedy which occurred when 6.5 million people across the country (including the FCT) stormed various recruitment centres in the country for 4,000 positions.
The applicants who had thronged venues of the exercise, mostly stadia, paid N1,000 as application fee.
The federal government and the two chambers of the National Assembly constituted separate committees to probe the tragedy at the time, but the reports of the panels are yet to be made public.
President Jonathan also promised automatic employment for those ‘certified injured’ and three slots for immediate family members of those killed, but there are court cases and protests by those affected and civil society organisations over the failure of the government to ho
nour the promises made.
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| Abba Moro |
Failure to sack Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, even after taking full responsibility for the tragedy remains controversial.
9. Impeachment of Murtala Nyako as Adamawa State governor (June, 2014):
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| Nyako |
Former governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State stirred trouble when he decided to dump the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the opposition All Progressives’ Congress (APC).
He was one of the seven PDP governors that angrily staged a walk-out on the national leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan, during a special national convention of the party in Abuja over party leadership crisis.
After defecting to the APC, Nyako became critical of his former party and the Jonathan administration. Angered, the Presidency and PDP national leadership allegedly instigated the PDP-dominated 25-member Adamawa State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against him and his deputy, Bala James Ngilari.
On June 28, 2014, the house slammed 20-count charges of gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds on Nyako and a panel set up by the state chief judge, found him guilty of all the charges.
Eventually, 18 out of 25 lawmakers signed his impeachment while compelling his deputy to resign.
10. DHQ Spokesman announces ‘rescue’ of Chibok girls ( April, 2014):
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| Olukolade |
Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, announced the rescue of “all 129 girls” except eight.
The very next day, he retracted the statement to the collective chagrin of Nigerians and the international community. Fast-forward to July, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, said the Nigerian military had discovered where the schoolgirls were being kept, but that they would not use force to rescue them.
Badeh was quoted to have said: “The good news for the girls is that we know where they are but we cannot tell you, we cannot come and tell you military secrets here.
Just leave us alone, we are working, we will get the girls back.”
Till today, sadly the girls are still in Boko Haram captivity.
11. Boko Haram announces own ‘Caliphate’ (August, 2014):
The year 2014 will be remembered as the year Boko Haram stepped up in their attacks, aims and ambition.
Boko Haram boldly attacked and captured swathes of territory, renaming them in the process and declaring them part of a ‘Caliphate’. Mubi in Adamawa State was renamed ‘Madinatul Islam’ while Gwoza in Borno was renamed ‘Darul Hikma.’ Captured towns include Banki, Marte, Konduga, Gambaru Ngala, Dikwa, Bama, Gwoza and Lassa towns in Borno State. In Adamawa States, towns captured include Mubi, Michika, Madagali, Gombi and Hong while in Yobe, Bara and Buni-Yadi towns were captured.
Some of them, however, have been recaptured by Nigerian military forces.
12. Boko Haram members attempt assassination of Buhari (July, 2014)
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Buhari's bullet riddled car
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APC's presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari survived a bomb attack in Kaduna in July, but his vehicle was destroyed, in what was perceived as an assasination attempt.
Three aides and security men attached to Buhari were injured in the blast while en route to Daura. “The bomb blast was said to be targeted at Buhari, as the bombers trailed his convoy and detonated the bomb very close to his convoy, injuring his security and personal aides.
Buhari himself also confirmed the incident in a statement he personally signed.
“I was personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack along Ali Akilu Road, Kawo-Kaduna at about 2:30pm on my way to Daura,” he wrote. “The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt, came from a fast-moving vehicle that made many attempts to overtake my security car but was blocked by my escort vehicle. “We reached the market area of Kawo where he attempted to take advantage of our slowing down and attempted to ram my car and instantly detonated the bomb, which destroyed all the three vehicles in our convoy. “Unfortunately, when I came out of my vehicle, I saw many dead bodies littered around. They were innocent people going about their daily businesses who became victims of mass murder. “Thank God for His mercy, I came out unhurt but with three of my security staff sustaining minor injuries – they have since been treated in the hospital and discharged.”
13. IGP withdraws Tambuwal’s security over defection to APC (October, 2014):
The Inspector-General of Police (then in acting capacity) Mr. Suleiman Abba ordered the withdrawal of policemen attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, two days after he defected to the opposition APC from the PDP.
The IGP said since Tambuwal had defected, he could no longer enjoy the privilege of police protection. The Department of State Services (DSS) followed suit. Mr. Abba on November 26 when he appeared before the House Committee on Police Affairs was adamant and refused to recognise Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Reps, insisting it would be “subjudice” for him to address him as such, as long as the matter was in court.
Members of the committee were angry and staged a walk-out.
14. FG announces slump in oil prices (November, 2014):
Federal government on the 17th of November announced austerity measures aimed at cushioning its impact on the economy due to the decline in the price of crude oil in the international market.
Crude oil prices dropped to $77.76 per barrel, some cents below the $78 benchmark earlier proposed to the National Assembly for the 2015 budget. Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala explained that the austerity measures would see Nigerians paying tax on luxury goods and a reduction in public expenditures and international travels by public servants.
15. Botched arms deals in South Africa (September, 2014):
In September, a chartered Bombadier Challenger 600 plane with two Nigerians and an Israeli national onboard ferried $9.3 million to South Africa allegedly for the purchase of arms. But upon landing at the Lanseria International Airport, northwest of Johannesburg, the cargo (money) was apprehended by the South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) which claimed it was smuggled funds.
It said the money was not declared and the amount was way beyond “the prescribed legal limit” approved by laws of the country. The president Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsajafor, admitted ownership of the jet but said: “I leased the aircraft on August 2, 2014 to a company to run it.
It was the leasee that entered into an agreement with the people who carried out the transfer of funds. Having leased the aircraft to the Green Coast Produce Company Limited, any transaction undertaken with the aircraft can no longer be attached to me.” Again, four weeks later, South Africa’s Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) seized another $5.7 million meant for another arms deal. The NPA ordered the funds frozen in the bank for allegedly being proceeds of illegal transactions.
The controversy is ongoing.
16: Synagogue building collapse in Lagos (September, 2014)
A guest house on the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) founded by Pastor TB Joshua in Lagos State collapsed on September 12, 2014.
At the time, hundreds of worshippers, most of them South Africans who converged for the annual Signs and Wonders service organised by the church, were present. Pastor Joshua controversially blamed the incident, which killed nearly 118 worshipers, on an unidentified aircraft, which hovered atop the building several times before the collapse.
But the Lagos State government said the multi-storey building was not constructed on approved specifications, and that owner of the property had developed it beyond the approved plan. It set up a coroner inquest into the collapsed building.
However, Pastor Joshua was reluctant to appear to testify and approached the courts twice in efforts to stop the inquest.
The investigation is still in progress.
17. Lawmakers scale National Assembly Gate (November, 2014):
Chaos broke out at the National Assembly when members were summoned from recess to consider President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for the extension of emergency rule in the troubled north-east, but the police attempted to stop House of Reps’ speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and other lawmakers from gaining entry into the assembly chambers.
This action compelled the legislators who were locked out to scale the gates to access the complex. The “no entry” order created pandemonium and chaos, as cops tear-gassed lawmakers, staff and
visitors. Police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu controversially claimed in a statement that the police were acting on ‘intelligence reports’ of a likely invasion of the House of Reps by hoodlums.
18. Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2015 AFCON and Stephen Keshi
The year 2014 will surely not be a year to remember for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, and the
Big Boss, Stephen Keshi. (November, 2014)
After a fantastic 2013 crowned with the AFCON trophy, The Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 AFCON. The consequence of this means Nigeria will not defend its 2013 African Cup of Nations title in January 2015 after the Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo.
So Nigeria are now the deposed African champions, unable to play at the second AFCON to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea after they failed to qualify for the finals co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in 2012.
Keshi also had stormy waters as the Super Eagles chief coach, we was sacked and re-instated, only to fail to qualify for the 2015 AFCON.
Ex-Internationals like Garba Lawal, Sunday Oliseh also blasted Keshi's inadequacies.
19) The verbal attack between Obasanjo and Jonathan
The year 2014 cannot be discussed without looking at the rift between President Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The latter made scathing remarks on the performance of his estranged godson, Jonathan which Reuben Abati, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, among others, replied to.
In a controversial manner, with court stopping him, former President Obasanjo released his memoir titled “My Watch” . In the book, the former President chronicled the period he was in office, his relationship with people as well as his uncomplimentary remarks on some prominent Nigerians, like his former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.
20) Jonathan Emerges PDP Presidential Candidate for 2015 (November, 2014)
The PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) and its other organs adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s sole presidential candidate for 2015 presidential election.
The PDP Governors’ Forum led by Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio also announced that Jonathan would be their sole candidate for the poll.
It would be recalled that Abdul Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa, son of Nigeria`s first Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, had earlier paid for the PDP presidential forms to contest the election in 2015.
Akasuba Abiola, wife of late business mogul, M.K.O. Abiola was also at the party`s headquarters earlier to pick the forms for the presidency.
The two aspirants alleged at separate interviews with newsmen that though they paid the required fees to purchase the forms, the PDP leadership denied them the forms
But however, a formal primary election was held in Abuja, and President Jonathan was decleared the winner, and consequently PDP's presidential candidate for 2015.
21) Buhari wins APC Presidential Ticket, Picks Osinbajo As Running-Mate
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| Buhari/Osinbajo |
General Muhammedu Buhari recorded 3430 votes at the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Primaries in Lagos, thus emerging as the winner of the APC primaries.
Buhari defeated Kano state governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso who had 974; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar had 954 votes; Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha had 624 and Publisher of Leadership newspapers, Nda-Isaiah with 10 votes.
Mr. Buhari, 72, was Nigeria’s military leader between December 31, 1983 and August 27, 1985.
With his victory, Mr. Buhari, 72, will now face President Goodluck Jonathan in the February 14 presidential election.
The man Osinbajo
Not until The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari picked Professor Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate in the 2015 presidential election, many people knew very little about him.
It can be recalled that
NigerianEye started an opinion poll few days before Professor Yemi Osinbajo was picked as Buhari's vice presidential candidate, and surprisingly, Osinbajo also won the
NigerianEye poll as the readers choice for Buhari's VP.
Osibajo, a law professor and former Attorney-General of Lagos state is a christian and senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Yemi Osibajo, 55, is the senior partner at SimmonsCooper Partners. He was for eight years, the attorney-general of Lagos State, during which wide-ranging reforms were carried out in the judiciary. The Lagos template became a reference point for the entire nation.
Osibajo is also a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He was educated at Igbobi College in Lagos, the University of Lagos, Nigeria (LLB, 1978) and the London School of Economics (LLM, 1980). He was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1979.
He has authored several books on civil procedure in Nigerian superior courts, rules of evidence and justice reform.
The February 14 presidential election will therefore be a replay of the 2011 electoral battle as both Buhari and Jonathan will also feature again in the contest.
Surely, 2014 was an eventful year, and as we approach 2015 which is crucial in defining the political future of our great nation, you can trust
NigerianEye to deliver bigger and better.
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