Top 10 most powerful politicians in Nigeria

Politics is a shady game everywhere, including in Nigeria. Most powerful politicians in Nigeria are either active in national decision-making or influence a certain tribe or ethnic group. There are several powerful politicians in Nigeria with great influencing power.

In this article, we will be discussing Nigeria’s most powerful politicians. Who are does in charge of the decision-making in Nigeria?

Top 10 most powerful politicians in Nigeria

Tinubu Bola

He requires no introduction. In the world of opposition politics, he is a huge star. But he has risen through the ranks of the ruling All Progressives Congress, becoming a significant power broker (APC).

Beginning with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), under which he went into hiding to continue the campaign to remove the military dictatorship of Late Gen Sani Abacha, Tinubu made significant contributions in turning the heat on the military rule, forcing its return to the barracks in 1999.

He reaped the benefits of his efforts when the Alliance for Democracy (AD) rewarded him with the governorship of Lagos State. This party became a gathering point for most people involved in NADECO operations who shared its ideology.

That award provided the springboard he needed to become the envied power broker in southwest Nigerian politics he is today. He has become the region’s main political figure, with influence in neighboring areas.

Being Governor of Lagos state for 8 years, he established a culture of building a pool of egg heads to aid state administration.

He laid the groundwork for the state to become the center of excellence today. Those who benefited considerably from his donations gladly embraced his economic theories. Tinubu is the ace of the southwest political deck. Tinubu is widely seen as having a crucial role in the APC’s future.

Bola Tinubu is now running for president as the Apc candidate in the 2023 election. However, he is considered to have his sights set on the country’s leadership. Many people believe that any move by him and his supporters to abandon the party will result in extinction.

Muhammadu Buhari

The date of Muhammadu Buhari’s birth is 17 December 1942. He is a former major general in the Nigerian Army who led the nation’s military government from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985 after staging a military coup. Since 2015, he has been Nigeria’s president.

Nigeria’s Buhari campaigned for president in 2003, 2007, and 2011. He was announced as the All Progressives Congress party’s presidential candidate for the 2015 general election in December 2014. Buhari defeated incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the election. A sitting president lost a presidential election for the first time in Nigerian history. He took office on 29 May 2015.

Olusegun Obasanjo

Olusegun Obasanjo is a Nigerian politician who was Nigeria’s President from 1999 until 2007. Obasanjo is a well-regarded politician, notwithstanding his departure from politics.

He is consistently one of the first significant leaders to call out a scenario for what it is. He was instrumental in the assassination of former Bayelsa governor Goodluck Jonathan.

Obasanjo is still seen as a very powerful figure who has strong opinions.

Goodluck Jonathan

Nigerian politician Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, president from 2010 to 2015, was born on 20 November 1957. He was the first sitting president in Nigerian history to surrender an election after losing to ex-military leader General Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Before that, he ruled as Governor of oil-rich Bayelsa State from 2005 to 2007. He also served as Vice President of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010 under Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Although he is currently on a low, we believe he is still one of the most powerful politicians in Nigeria.

James Onanefe Ibori

Despite doing time in a UK prison for financial fraud, James Ibori still has a lot of tricks under his sleeve. The notion that jail had broken him was disproved when, although still in prison, he wielded significant influence in the election of Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa as Governor of the state in 2015. Moreover, although keeping a low profile since his release from jail and return to Nigeria to a somewhat heroic reception, Ibori has played his expected role in guiding the politics of the South-South area, particularly the Niger Delta states.

Ifeanyi Ubah

Ifeanyi Ubah was born on September 3, 1971 in Otolo, Anambra Nigeria. His riches did not begin with politics; he is a hardworking businessman who made a fortune for himself before deciding to serve Nigeria.

Being the first of seven children, he had to quit school to become a trader, but opportunity smiled on him when he was 19 when he got his first million. He ran unsuccessfully for Governor of his state in 2014. He nonetheless ran for a position in the Nigerian Senate in 2019 to serve Anambra South Senatorial District, which he won.

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, a politician from Nigeria, was born on 27 May 1965. Until 16 May 2022, he served as minister of transportation before resigning to run for president of Nigeria on the platform of the country’s governing APC All Progressive Congress Party. As a Minister of Transportation for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he worked in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet. He served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007. He was also Governor of the oil-rich Rivers State from 2007 to 2015. Amaechi announced his intention to run for president in 2023 on 9 April 2022. He lost in the primaries to Tinubu.

Raji Fashola

Former Lagos governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chief of staff from 1999 to 2007 was Raji Fashola. Later, he replaced Tinubu as Governor of Lagos, serving eight years. He was named minister of works, electricity, and housing in 2015—Fashola has a great hold on the south, especially Lagos.

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, a former member of the Nigerian Army, was born on 17 August 1941. He advanced through the ranks to hold the position of Chief of Army Staff from 1984 to 1985 before orchestrating the overthrow of Muhammadu Buhari in a palace coup d’état. Between 1985 and 1993, he presided over Nigeria as its military leader. Despite being rather old, he is still one of Nigeria’s most well-liked leaders.