There is great battle for relevance in Nigeria’s political sphere, especially with the change in government and the downturn of economic events.
Prior to the last general elections, many gubernatorial aspirants had made so many promises, but reality tends to have swallowed up the promises even as they became governors of various states, and as such has made many Nigerian leaders today very dormant and ineffective with regards to matters of state.
However, there are some Nigerian governors who have continued to wax strong and have become very relevant in the Nigeria political scene; below are the top 5.
5. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
The governor of Lagos state was looked down upon by many due to the effectiveness of his predecessor, Babatunde Raji Fashola. However, Ambode has shown that he is no way one whose potentials should be undermined.
He first faced the security issues in the state headlong, equipping security operatives for the task of securing the metropolis effectively. Then he moved on to other projects, capitalizing on what Fashola has already laid on ground. He has made a name for himself with projects like Light Up Lagos and Lagos Marathon which was internationally acclaimed.
4. Governor Adams Oshiomhole
Popular for his charismatic and outspoken nature, comrade Oshiomhole as he is popularly called has remained very relevant in the political sphere, pulling his greatest weight in the just concluded Edo gubernatorial poll.
A strong voice for the All Progressive Congress (APC), Oshiomhole remains important in Nigerian politics, from fighting the Jonathan led administration to ensuring that the APC interest is protected in Edo state and its axis.
3. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
It has been rumored that this governor of Kaduna state has the ears of President Muhammadu Buahri, infact at some point he was called the real vice-president.
El-Rufai has kept himself with the implementation of certain bills that have for a while been debated. From his food ideologies to the rules on religion as practiced in Kaduna, El-Rufai remains a voice that many listen to and his opinion to a very great extent has continued to matter, not only with regards to affairs in Kaduna state, but also in the nation at large. Little wonder he is a very key figure in the ruling APC.
2. Governor Nyesom Wike
If there is one very strongman for the opposition party within the southsouth, then it is none other than Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state.
A very vocal and dauntless governor, Wike remains one of the greatest hopes for the opposition party in Nigeria.
Only recently, Wike was in the news for stopping operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) from arresting a judge who was suspected to be involved in fraudulent practices.
1. Governor Ayodele Fayose
He needs little or no introductions, the Ekiti state governor was recently named the number one enemy of President Buhari.
Fayose’s fame stems from the fact that he would not allow the ruling party have a breathing space. Only recently he criticized the lauded release of 21 Chibok girls, calling it a scheme to take the minds of Nigerians off the threatening issues on ground.
Like Governor Wike of Rivers, Fayose also pulled a controversial stunt involving security operatives, when he stopped men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), from arresting a lady who turned out to be the wife of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.
In conclusion, many analysts have said that the greatest problem of the nation is a dearth of leaders, people who have true character of leadership. Maybe if Nigeria has a few more leaders who the people can vouch for and depend on, then the nation will find its feet again.
