By Jesutomi Akomolafe
As Nigerians wait patiently for the presidential election set for 18 February 2023, candidates desirous of taking over from incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari have emerged.
Apart from the familiar faces on the political turf, some ‘political newbies’ are also in the race for the seat of power. However,here is a look at what may work for them or count against them in the long run.
Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu aka The King Maker
Recognised as the richest politician in Nigeria, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also known as “the king maker” has an estimated net worth of about $32bn ( N13trn) and has signaled his intention for the race.
He is widely recognised as the richest black politician in Africa owing to a statement he made during a political campaign, where he claimed he was richer than Osun State.
The 69-year-old currently ranks top among others likely to clinch power in 2023.
On the flipside, what still remains fresh in the minds of Nigerians is how two bullion vans were driven into Tinubu’s Ikoyi residence on the eve of the 2019 Presidential election allegedly for vote-buying.
Also, on October 8, 2020, Dapo Apara, a Nigerian chartered accountant, alleged that Tinubu had been involved in money laundering, fraud, tax evasion and sundry corrupt practices.
Dave Umahi
Mr Umahi is the current Governor of Ebonyi State.A member of the APC, he announced his plan to run for president after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, 11 January 2022.His announcement came 24 hours after Tinubu had informed Buhari of his intention to contest.
His net worth is estimated to be N2bn.
Recently, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) accused him of betrayal after he announced in 2021 that the state had no link with Biafra.
They alleged that he did that to gain favour for his 2023 presidential ambition.
Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima
Yerima, a former governor of Zamfara State is also in the running for Aso Rock. Yerima, an APC member, disclosed his intentions in Bauchi recently.
According to Wikipedia, Forbes and Business Insider, Yerima’s net worth is approximately $1.5m ( over N600m).
In January 2016, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC), filed an 18-count charge of corruption against him over allegations that he illegally enriched himself as governor.
On February 10, 2021, he appeared before the Independent Investigative Panel on alleged human rights violation using the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police.
Yerima was summoned by the panel that he allegedly mobilised some Police officers to arrest, torture and detain Katsina State-born businessman, Alhaji Musa Wapa over a claim of N23m.
Chief Dele Momodu
Media mogul and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu wants to be president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Momodu disclosed this when he met with the PDP National Chairman, Iyiorchia Ayu at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
The 61-year-old is worth $100m (N41bn).
Momodu had argued that Tinubu was eminently qualified to contest the presidency. However, few days ago he denied endorsing him.
He has been criticised several times for allegedly using his medium to spread fake news and inciting Nigerians also in an article published in October 2019.
Prof. Kingsley Moghalu
Prof. Moghalu, the 2019 presidential candidate of Young Progressive Party (YPP) has declared his intention for the presidency.
Moghalu, who had resigned from the YPP and had also quit partisan politics, revealed he changed his mind. He hinged his decision on concerns for youths and the need to address challenges facing the nation.
His net worth is estimated at $5m.
Moghalu seems to have a clean record apart from 2019 when he dumped his party, Young Progressives Party ( YPP) to join African Democratic Congress (ADC) to pursue his 2023 presidential ambition. He was accused wrongly in 2019 by renowned human rights activists, Femi Falana, SAN of accepting an appointment from Buhari’s cabinet, after which an apology was tendered Falana.
Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi
Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi, daughter of former Federal Works Commissioner, Femi Okunnu, SAN, is also interested in becoming president.
The 38-year-old renowned entrepreneur and youth development advocate wants to restore hope and advance the country. She is the youngest politician to have declared intention for the race.
The founder of Slice Media Solutions revealed recently that she’s “somehow related” to Tinubu, thus Nigerians wonder if she is different from the ‘oldies’.
Her net worth is between $5m and $20m.
