With the various bizarre news that comes out from Nigeria daily, it’s not shocking that we have several hilarious politicians. Due to the preconceived notion that politicians are purportedly serious individuals, people occasionally forget that politicians, irrespective of their administrative responsibilities, are humans with an amusing side. From calling each other out on social media […]
With the various bizarre news that comes out from Nigeria daily, it’s not shocking that we have several hilarious politicians. Due to the preconceived notion that politicians are purportedly serious individuals, people occasionally forget that politicians, irrespective of their administrative responsibilities, are humans with an amusing side. From calling each other out on social media to moving with a live band and crying on National television, these political leaders unintentionally serve as comic relief and entertainment in the political space.
We have listed and ranked Nigeria’s funniest politicians.
Kogi state governor Yahyah Bello might be the most social media-savvy politician yet. Back in 2020, when the pandemic hit Nigeria, Yahya Bello released videos showing where he was working out, discrediting the rumours that he had contracted the virus. While Kogi state is currently ravaged by the floods, Yahaya Bello finds time in his busy schedule to keep his followers on social media entertained. His most recent product is a clip of him doing the Ayra Starr Rush challenge while ignoring the deplorable situation of his flooded state. After he was criticized, he made amends by releasing a series of “moving” videos, again on social media, that highlighted the extent of the flood damage in Lokoja.
9. Ayodele Fayose
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, former Ekiti State governor and presidential aspirant, Ayo Fayose, has said that he will appoint a minister for “Stomach Infrastructure” if he becomes Nigeria’s president. He introduced the humorous phrase when he came to power in 2014, quickly gaining national notoriety. Among his first appointments at the time was a “personal assistant on special duties and stomach infrastructure.”
Never one to shy away from causing a stir, and prone to reciting scriptures from the Bible during interviews, Fayose has been a source of amusement for many Nigerians. Back in 2018, the former governor appeared on national television in a neck brace, claiming to be in “severe pains” after allegedly being shot at and manhandled by security agents. “I cannot take this anymore,” he wailed, before crawling away from the camera.
Considering the fact that the political scene in Nigeria often looks like something straight out of a low-budget Nollywood movie, Nigerians cannot be blamed for being sceptical (and quickly turning the video into a meme).
8. Ben Ayade
While his competence as a governor has often been called into question, one thing Ben Ayade certainly knows how to do well is cry. Over the years, the Cross Rivers State governor has made a name for himself as an amateur entertainer with a knack for public displays of hysteria, having wept openly at least four times since becoming governor. But while there is nothing wrong with shedding a few “empathetic” tears as a leader, it appears that not a single one of these crying spells has yielded any tangible results for the people of the state! Instead, the governor has lived up to his reputation as a one-man humour factory, turning the state’s budgets into a circus of impractical targets with hilarious titles.
In 2018, it was the budget of “Kinetic Crystallization”, while 2019 saw a budget of “Qabalistic Densification”. Opting for something a little easier on the tongue in 2021, the budget was simply called “Blush and Bliss”, while this year’s N276 Billion budget goes by the jaw-breaking title, “Conjugated Agglutination”.
Honestly, with politicians like these, who needs comedians?
It is probably not the major thing that the former President of Nigeria will be remembered for, but Olusegun Obasanjo was hilarious at the World Pension summit in 2016: Africa Special. During his speech, he made the audience laugh when he joked about El-Rufai’s height. The following year, Olusegun Obasanjo showed his amusing side when he debuted as an actor in the comedy series Dele Issues (Daily Issues). Gbenga Adeyinka inducted him into the comedy hall of fame in 2022 at ‘Laff Mattaz show’ in Abeokuta. While addressing the audience in his native language, he entertained them.
After engaging in a conversation with the Church of Satan on Twitter, Femi Fani-Kayode can not be taken seriously. The former minister of Culture and Tourism is well-known for putting out problematic tweets and criticizing the opposition. In 2019, he called out President Muhammadu Buhari and his political party, All Progressives Congress (APC) on Twitter, only to join the party in 2021. Last month, he was involved in an online altercation with fellow politician Dino Melaye. Both released short videos insulting each other on Twitter.
5. Adeleke Ademola
Watch our Dancing Governor, Imole Senator Adeleke dancing in church. That is how you and your family will dance for joy over what God will do in your lives. In Christ’s Name!#PresidentAtiku#OsunDecides2022pic.twitter.com/Hpo6S0d8kC
Popularly known as the “dancing senator”, Adeleke Ademola’s personality comes off as easygoing and fun. Adeleke, who is also an uncle to one of the biggest music acts in Nigeria appears to have some elements of show business in him. Videos of him dancing passionately have made their rounds on the internet, leading to his nickname. His most recent antic came after winning the Osun state gubernatorial elections, where he outshone his church choir, leading a mini praise session and putting on a show on the altar.
4. Rochas Okorocha
The former Imo State Governor has often shown a comic side. Like Patrick Obahiagbon the former governor has a knack for neologisms, like when in 2019, during an interview with Channels TV on corruption, he coined the word “Iberiberism” and said it meant “foolishness”.
3. Patrick Obahiagon
In his 2014 song Wazup Guy Falz raps, “I don’t understand you / gee, you sound like Patrick.” He refers to Patrick Obahiagbon, the former chief of staff to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole. Don’t blame Falz; even English professors don’t understand half of what Obahiagbon says. The politician won himself fame when, in the 2010s, people started to share videos in which Obahiagbon gave political commentary. It isn’t so much what he says as how he says it that stands out. A typical Obahiagbon sentence is full of obscure polysyllabic words; it fuses English, Greek and Latin words with no regard for symmetry or rhythm. It may not have a lyrical quality, but Obahiagbon’s speech style has been known to provoke laughter. Some people laugh with him; some, at him. Crinkum bunkum chooga chooga is probably Obahiagbon’s way of telling you good morning. Who wouldn’t laugh at that?
2. Dino Melaye
Why was Tinubu absent at the National Peace signing event today. Listen to Sen. Melaye. pic.twitter.com/MKcWfZCK8E
Like him or not, Senator Dino Melaye is a funny man. Melaye, who is both social media savvy and gifted in creating highly authentic and attention-grabbing content, uses his skills in both firing salvos into the camps of his critics and saving his brand from very thorough public checks. Ahead of the 2023 elections, the former senator who is also a spokesman for Atiku always finds ways to use humour in his efforts to promote Atiku.
We can recall funny moments like his “certificate saga”, where Melaye wore a graduation gown to the Senate after being cleared of the controversy, mocking President Buhari for attending the global education summit in London, his song I Talk Am in which he teased Buhari and former EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu, and a more recent TV moment where he joked about having celestial powers.
As an imaginary one-man opposition party, Nyesom Wike has channelled humour as his tool in holding his perceived opponents to account. These opps have been Atiku Abubakar, Godwin Obaseki, Iyorchia Ayu, Rotimi Amaechi, and Uche Secondus at different points in time. Using a combination of street aphorisms, chants and most prominently, a backing band, Wike’s public addresses are an exercise in comic relief. When he takes a bow from public office in May next year, he will be missed for his comedic contributions.
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