The 2023 Nigerian general elections saw the birth of several catchy election slogans such as “Emilokan,” “Eleyi,” and “O lule.” These phrases became part of the Nigerian electoral lexicon and played a crucial role during the election campaign. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was among the first to celebrate these sound bites. However, things took a different turn when Obasanjo’s candidate, Peter Obi, crashed, and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu won the APC presidential ticket. Tinubu’s slogan, “A ma dibo, a ma wole,” was born during a campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State. It was a sublime and supreme bluff that became a massive stepping stone for Tinubu. The fuel scarcity and the Naira’s redesign project led to a massive challenge for the presidency, CBN, and NNPC authorities. The PMB set up a committee to comprehensively look into the crippling fuel scarcity that had made a stubborn return after almost seven years of non-existence. The Supreme Court eventually voided the Naira scarcity exercise, ruling that both old and new Naira denominations remained legal tender until the year-end of 2023. The birthplace of these sound bites was Abeokuta, now the capital of Ogun State, and the cradle of journalism in Nigeria. The most intricate of the maneuvers during the APC presidential nomination tussle played out in the presidency. Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo appeared conflicted, running against his leader and umpteenth benefactor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who eventually won the APC presidential ticket.
