By Matthew Ma
As the year comes to an end, it is essential to take stock of the significant events that marked the year. Looking back at the year’s landscape, we can gather valuable insights and learnings that can help us better understand the direction of politics, both locally and globally. By reviewing the critical political events of the year, we can gain a deeper understanding of how these events impacted society, the landscape, and our collective future. It is through this reflection that we can identify patterns, trends, and lessons that can inform our decision-making and guide us toward a more informed and enlightened future.”
As the clock ushered us into 2024, the memory of a tumultuous 2023 lingers. It was a year that witnessed political upheaval, economic hardship, and an alarming rise in violence and insecurity. The Nigerian landscape was marred by the loss of 6,645 lives to terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, coupled with natural disasters and accidents that claimed more lives, including the tragic accidental bombing in Kaduna, a landslide in Abuja, a fire at an illegal oil refining site in Rivers State, a disastrous boat mishap in Kwara State, and the Plateau State Christmas killing. A lot of remarkable things happened in the outgoing year. The year began on a hopeful note. With the 2023 general elections scheduled for the first quarter, many young Nigerians were optimistic about a government change that would mean a long-overdue improvement in the economy and other sectors. The elections ended with one of the most contested results in Nigeria’s history. Therefore, as the year comes to an end, it is essential to take stock of the significant events that marked the year. Looking back at the year’s landscape, we can gather valuable insights and learnings that can help us better understand the direction of politics, both locally and globally. By reviewing the critical political events of the year, we can gain a deeper understanding of how these events impacted society, the political landscape, and our collective future. It is through this reflection that we can identify patterns, trends, and lessons that can inform our decision-making and guide us toward a more informed and enlightened future.
On January 15, 2023, tragedy struck Nigeria, where two Catholic priests became victims of senseless violence. It occurred in Niger State, where a group of bandits attacked the parish house of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kafin-Koro. The attack caused the death of Father Isaac Achi, who was serving as the parish priest. Upon arrival at the house, the bandits set Rev. Achi’s house ablaze, burning him to death. The unknown assailants also shot and wounded Father Collins Omeh as he was trying to escape from the house. Confirming the violent and tragic attack, which took place around 3 am, the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said that the bandits attempted to enter the house but failed and set fire to the house while the Reverend Father died charred. Police tactical teams from Kafin-Koro were immediately dispatched to the scene, but the perpetrators fled before they arrived. The lifeless body of Father Achi was recovered, while Father Collins was taken to the hospital for treatment. Sadly, until today, none of those responsible for these atrocities have been arrested or prosecuted, which further emboldens and encourages them to carry out fresh attacks. A group that spoke on the condition of anonymity observed that security forces hardly intervene when vulnerable Christians are in danger but only emerge after such attacks to arrest and frame up the same population threatened or attacked.
In a press release on October 26, 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the redesign of banknotes including N200, N500, and N1000. The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, cited the need for new designs due to various challenges faced by Nigeria’s financial, monetary, and security systems. The redesigned currency aims to tackle the circulation of counterfeit notes and large sums of money outside of banks, often used by kidnappers and terrorists. The new banknotes are set to enter circulation on December 15, 2022, with the existing notes no longer accepted as legal tender after January 31, 2023. President Muhammadu Buhari gave his approval for the currency redesign, supporting the CBN’s efforts to stabilize the value of the country’s official tender, which has lost more than 35 percent of its value over the past year. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria expressed concern about the security of the Naira, stating that the circulation of the currency has more than doubled since 2015. He disclosed that approximately 85% of the total money in circulation, which amounts to about N2.73 trillion out of N3.23 trillion, is outside the bank vaults. In response, the CBN has introduced new banknotes that are expected to be more secure and difficult to counterfeit, particularly the N500 and N1000 denominations. This initiative is part of the CBN’s efforts to enhance financial inclusion and safeguard the integrity of the Nigerian currency. The CBN has assured citizens that the new banknotes will be widely accessible, even in rural areas, and has urged them to embrace the change for a seamless transition.
During a National Assembly session, a disagreement arose among Senators regarding the CBN Naira redesign policy. While several Senators, including Ali Ndume, Abiodun Olujimi, Betty Apiafi, Barau Jibrin, Chukwuka Utazi, and Orji Uzor Kalu, supported the policy, others opposed the policy and called for an extension. Kalu specifically proposed inviting Emefiele to clarify the policy and extend the deadline to April 30, 2023. However, Senator Gabriel Suswan opposed the policy and urged his colleagues to disregard it. Senator Bassey Akpan stressed the importance of supporting the CBN Governor instead of discussing the matter. Unfortunately, Suswan and Akpan’s opinions were not well-received by those seeking an extension of the deadline, leading to a rowdy argument in the chamber. It took the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, ten minutes of persistent appeals to restore order. Eventually, the Senate decided to offer legislative assistance to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its effort to redesign the N1,000, N500, and N200 naira notes. Most Senators, regardless of their political affiliation, showed support for the redesign of the naira. However, a few concerns were raised about the deadline set by the central bank for the deposit of old notes into commercial banks. While some lawmakers called for an extension of the deadline from January 31, 2023, to April 2023, many politicians who had hoarded cash for the 2023 general election were speculated to be against the reintroduction and redesign of Nigeria’s currency. During the discussion, lawmakers also questioned the economic implications of the naira redesign and whether it would help in reducing inflation and the declining value of the naira. Senator Sani, in his motion, requested that the Senate provide legal support for the policy and direct his Committee to engage in rigorous oversight on the matter. Furthermore, Sani urged the Senate to back the CBN’s naira redesign policy, including the deadline set by the banking industry regulator for compliance.
The 2023 was a year of political turbulence. The general election held in February was fractious, divisive, and contentious. The journey began with the presidential elections, where Bola Tinubu emerged victorious as the President amid controversies and accusations of irregularities. The election witnessed the lowest voter turnout in Nigeria’s history, and subsequent legal challenges by opponents Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi were dismissed by the courts, solidifying Tinubu’s victory. The political landscape was further shaped by the movements and slogans ‘Emilokan,’ ‘Atikulate,’ and ‘Obedients,’ each representing different political factions and ideologies. Opinions were divided on the credibility and integrity of this year’s elections. While the young voters and opposition candidates claimed the election lacked credibility, many other experienced voters and political analysts believed that the polls, though not flawless, were conducted in substantial compliance with the country’s electoral laws. The 2023 Nigerian elections were, therefore, a watershed moment in the country’s democratic history, opening up competition for federal and state legislative positions to a wide array of candidates without a designated incumbent for those roles. The electoral contest, however, took place against the backdrop of fierce tensions between political parties and a series of overlapping security crises that affect all regions across Nigeria and the regular conduct of elections. Political rivalry violently targeted candidates, election officials, and politicians in the run-up to the elections. Party militias, criminal gangs, and other armed groups brought violence to suppress opponents, deter rival candidates from running, and influence the electoral process. The electoral campaign also further polarized the political and media environment, with numerous allegations against partisan outlets and political candidates refusing to attend media engagements and debates. Some candidates were accused of inciting hate speech, stoking inter-communal tensions, and escalating violence in a country with a long history of electoral violence since its independence in 1960.
Rev. Ma, S.J, is a Jesuit Catholic priest and PhD candidate in public and social policy at St. Louis University in the state of Missouri, USA.
