As Nigeria approaches its presidential election on February 25, 2023, the campaign trail has become a battleground of sharp insults and pointed accusations. Top candidates, including Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, are trading barbs, targeting each other’s past records, health, and integrity. From references to Charles Dickens’ Artful Dodger to labels like “Mr Stingy” and “wobbly, wonky,” the rhetoric has grown increasingly colorful, overshadowing substantive policy discussions just weeks before voters head to the polls.
A Tight Race with High Stakes
The election to replace President Muhammadu Buhari, who will step down after two terms, is shaping up to be one of Nigeria’s most competitive since the end of military rule in 1999. For the first time, a third-party candidate, Peter Obi, is posing a serious challenge to the dominance of the APC and PDP. With over 93 million Nigerians registered to vote, the next president will inherit a nation grappling with insecurity, economic hardship, and widespread poverty. However, the campaign’s focus on personal attacks has raised concerns about diverting attention from these pressing issues.
Tinubu vs. Abubakar: A Clash of Titans
The APC’s Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos governor nicknamed the “Godfather of Lagos” for his political influence, has accused PDP’s Atiku Abubakar of orchestrating a “criminal enterprise” and an “empire of fraud” during his tenure as vice-president from 1999 to 2007. Tinubu, 70, called for Abubakar to withdraw or face arrest for alleged corruption, claims the PDP candidate vehemently denies. A US Senate report from the 2000s linked Abubakar to suspicious financial transactions involving over $40 million, allegedly funneled through offshore accounts by his then-wife, though no charges were filed. The PDP dismissed these accusations as fabrications, asserting Abubakar’s “impeccable character and integrity.”
In retaliation, the PDP has targeted Tinubu’s past, mocking him as “wobbly, wonky, and narcotic-devastated,” alluding to health concerns and a 1993 US court filing that referenced a drug-related property seizure tied to his name. The APC denies any wrongdoing, emphasizing Tinubu’s career as an accountant in the US. The PDP also accused Tinubu of planning to disrupt the election with an “army of bandits,” demanding his arrest. Both candidates, wealthy businessmen in their 70s, have faced corruption allegations throughout their careers but have never been convicted.
Peter Obi: The Outsider Under Fire
Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate and former Anambra governor, has not escaped the mudslinging. Tinubu branded him “Mr Stingy,” criticizing his frugality during his governorship. Obi countered that Nigeria needs leaders who prioritize fiscal responsibility for national development. As a relative newcomer to the national stage, Obi’s campaign has gained traction, particularly among younger voters, but the focus on personal attacks risks overshadowing his policy platform.
Health Concerns and Public Perception
Health has emerged as a sensitive issue in the campaign, with Nigeria’s history of leaders facing medical challenges still fresh in voters’ minds. Buhari’s extended medical trips to Britain during his first term drew criticism, and now Tinubu’s physical condition has come under scrutiny. The PDP claimed he struggles to stand or climb stairs without assistance, while the APC countered with social media videos showing Tinubu dancing and exercising, though skeptics questioned their authenticity. These health-related jabs have added fuel to the already heated campaign.
A Call for Substance Over Scandal
Analysts and commentators have expressed frustration with the campaign’s descent into personal attacks. Jude Ilo of Thoughts and Mace consulting noted that both APC and PDP candidates are attempting to “demarket” each other to sway public opinion. Influential columnist Dan Agbese of The Guardian lamented the lack of focus on substantive issues, writing, “From the avalanche of allegations and counter-allegations, do we really know what should qualify or disqualify Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi?” He urged a shift toward fact-based discussions to address Nigeria’s myriad challenges, including armed gangs, jihadist threats, and soaring living costs.
As the election nears, Nigerians await a campaign that prioritizes solutions over insults, hoping for a leader capable of uniting a diverse nation and tackling its complex problems.
