10 Most Controversial Politicians Of 2016

As a result of the hangover of the 2015 general elections, which redirected the political force in the country, 2016 has seen these politicians exhibit more controversial traces in their daily and political lives.

Interestingly, some of the politicians who made this list in 2015 have kept their spots; with only few entrants making the list for 2016.

In no particular order, here are the 10 most controversial politicians of 2016:

Ayo Fayose

In 2016, the Governor of Ekiti State remained one of the most vocal critics of President Muhammadu Buhari. The State Governor carried on with his criticism of President Buhari and even hit at the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, accusing her of fraud. Fayose has also not ceased to amuse the populace with his unusual habits, which include feeding children and market women with his birthday cake and wearing an Army camouflage to present the budget to the State Assembly.

Dino Melaye

Kogi State Senator, Dino Melaye made the list again after making the 2015 list. Dino topped his year of controversy with a faceoff with ex-First Lady of Lagos State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Melaye had gotten involved in a heated argument and exchange of words with the wife of APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The senator has not stopped flaunting his wealth and multi million naira cars.

Ali Modu Sheriff

The factional leader of the opposition party, Ali Modu Sheriff, remained in the news for controversial reasons all through 2016. Aside instituting several legal battles against the Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP over the leadership of the party, Sheriff’s actions and his overt support for the governorship candidate of his faction, Jimoh Ibrahim, cost the PDP the Ondo Governorship election.

Abdulmumin Jibrin

Joining the list of controversial politicians in the country in 2016 is APC lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin. The Kano State born lawmaker made the headlines for the controversial budget padding scandal. Jibrin blew the whistle on Dogara’s attempt to pad the budget after his reign as chairman of the Appropriation committee was cut short.

Bukola Saraki

The Senate President remained controversial all through 2016 as he faces different criminal charges alongside his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. Saraki tried mending fences with the presidency as some of the charges brought against him by the Federal Government were dropped.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was the centre of attention in 2016 largely due to the influence many had expected him to wield in the Presidency and the administration as a whole. Tinubu has been in the eye of the storm as he fell out with the APC chairman, John Oyegun. The two have avoided each other like plagues as Tinubu seemed to have also drifted away from the presidency. It is widely reported that the former Governor of Lagos State is planning to float another political party with ex-VP, Atiku Abubakar, but he has denied the allegation saying he remains committed to the progressive ideals of the APC.

Nyesom Wike

The Governor of Rivers State attracted controversy when he fell out with his ex-boss, Rotimi Amaechi but remained controversial as the battle for the soul of Rivers got tougher. Wike had put resources together to see to a realignment of the opposition party, PDP, hence antagonizing the President Buhari administration. Recently, the Governor attacked the police IG for the withdrawal of his Chief Security Officer, saying his life was unsafe.

Kashamu Buruji

Ogun Senator, Buruji Kashamu, is undoubtedly another politician, who is known to have continuously remained controversial. From battling the NDLEA over alleged drug charges to battling for the soul of Ogun State PDP, Kashamu was controversial all through 2015. The politician controversially rose to fame during the 2015 general election by gaining influence in the party during ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Yakubu Dogara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, started courting controversy immediately he emerged leader of the green chamber . Just when all frayed nerves were believed to have been calmed, Dogara courted another controversy. This time, he was accused of padding the budget by another lawmaker. Dogara became associated with the word, padding, which was widely used in the third and fourth quarter of the year.

Rotimi Amaechi

Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, was one of the most discussed politicians in 2015 as a result of his role in the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as President. However, Amaechi has remained controversial. He has remained in the news for his usual fiery exchanges with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. Towards the end of the year, Amaechi got himself into another round of controversy as he, alongside Ogbonnaya Onu, were alleged to have masterminded the arrest of some Supreme Court Judges.