Major happenings in Nigeria in 2022

The year 2022 is characterized by diverse happenings admits economic hardship, insecurity and death of prominent Nigerians.

First among the happenings was the death of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji who died on January 1, at the age of 93.

Few weeks after, on wednesday, January 12, the former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala,  also died at 71 years old.

On January 24, The Nigerian government suspends plans to remove petrol subsidy amid planned protest against the removal of the subsidy by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress. According to the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, the government realised the timing of its planned removal of petrol subsidy is “problematic”, and will worsen the suffering of Nigerians. 

On February 14, the Academic Staff Union of Universities embarked on indefinite strike. The strike which lasted for 8 months was called off on October 14, 2022.

Meanwhile on February 16, 2022, Major General Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the National Assembly requesting an additional N2.556 trillion to fund fuel subsidy. 

Another major event in 2022, was the arrest of the Head of Intelligence Response Team and Deputy Police Commissioner, Abba Kyari alongside four other persons over alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
Kyari was arrested by the police hours after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency declared him wanted.
The suspended DCP is also under investigation after the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America indicted him in the case of fraud involving Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.

March 9: A Federal High Court sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, his Deputy, Dr. Erick Igwe and 16 lawmakers for detecting from the PDP to APC.

March 18: EFCC arrested the past governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano as Professor Charles Soludo was inaugurated as Anambra State governor.

March 20: Unknown gunmen bombed the house of the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, worldwide, Professor George Obiozor in Awo – Omamma.

March 24: Atiku officially declared for President, unveiled a 5-point agenda.

March 25: Peter Obi declared his intention to contest for president of Nigeria in 2023.

March 25: Professor Grace Alele-Williams, Nigeria’s first female vice chancellor died aged 89.
March 26: The APC held its National Convention.

March 28: Governor Nyesom Wike declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election.

March 28: A passenger train conveying over 970 passengers was attacked by suspected terrorists in Kaduna State, killing scores and kidnapping the rest.

April 8: President Buhari approved the railway surveillance contract.

On the same date, the music industry was thrown in mourning with the news of the death of gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu.

She was allegedly killed by her husband, Peter Nwachukwu after suffering domestic violence according to the deceased family members and colleagues.

Also in April, Buhari pardon to former Governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame of Plateau and Taraba States respectively, who are serving terms in jail for corruption.

While the ex-gov of Taraba convicted in February 2020 was serving a 12-year jail term at the Kuje prison for misappropriation of funds while he was in office, Mr Dariye was jailed for stealing N2 billion of public funds during his time as Plateau State governor between 1999 and 2007.

No fewer than 4800 person were displaced after Bandit attack at the Garga District of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday, April 10, 2022. Five communities, including Kyaram, Gyambau, Dungur, Kukawa and Shuwaka villages, under Garga District were attacked by bandits, who killed scores of residents during the mayhem.

On April 22, Indigene of Oyo town in Oyo State were thrown into mourning when the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi died. 

On April 23, a fire explosion that rocked an illegal refinery in a border community between Imo and River states claimed the lives of 100 persons.

On Thursday, May 12, Deborah Samuel was flogged, killed and burnt at Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

On May, 16 2022 Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation in Kano State in connection with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80 billion. 

On May 20, Peter Obi resigned from the PDP and thereafter joined the Labour Party. He however emerged as LP Presidential candidate on May 30 as Professor Pat Utomi, and others stepped down. 

On May 24, EFCC arrested ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha at his residence in the Maitama area of Abuja over alleged N2.9bn fraud.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party held its convention on the 28th of May, 2022 where Atiku Abubakar emerged presidential candidate.

Atiku polled  371 out of the 767 accredited votes to defeat his closest rival, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike,  who polled 237 votes. Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, came a distant third with 70 votes. 

After the election the major controversy currently rocking the part brewed after five aggrieved governors pitched tent and created the G-5 governors with Nyesome Wike, and Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ifeanyi Ugwanyi and Seyi Makinde as members.

Seven months after, the controversy in PDP is becoming more tensed with the G-5 governor insisting on their demand that the National Chairman of the party, Iyiorcha Ayu must resign as agreed and for the seat be zoned to the South since the emergence of a northerner, Atiku as the presidential candidate. 

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State emerged thereafter and became vice presidential candidate on June 17. 
June 5, it was a black Sunday at Owo, Ondo State when Gunmen stormed St. Francis Catholic Church and killed no fewer than 50 worshippers. 

On June 7, All Progressives Congress held its presidential primary where Bola Tinubu emerged as presidential candidate with 1,271 votes.

On June 11, A High Court in Akure sentenced three persons to death for killing Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, a leader of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group

June 19, Ekiti state held its Governorship election where the APC flagbearer, Mr Biodun Oyebanji emerged winner with 187,057 votes to defeat his closest challengers, Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who polled 82,211, and Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party who scored 67, 457 votes.

June 23, Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, were remanded by a United Kingdom court over allegation bordering on organ trafficking. They were charged with conspiracy to facilitate the travel of a fifteen year old boy, identified as David Nwamini, for organ harvesting in the UK.

On June 27 the resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad was announced while the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), swore in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja after thereafter administered the oat of office as CJN in October.
On July 5, some gunmen attacked the Custodial Centre in the Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory near Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja, freeing no fewer than 600 of the nearly 900 inmates.

On the same date, Suspected terrorists ambushed the convoy of cars conveying the Presidency’s advance team of security guards, protocol and media officers, killing two policemen in the process. July 10: Bola Tinubu announced Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

On July 13, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, endorsed Peter Obi. The endorsement however led to several controversy after another Pa Reuben Fasoranti ‘endorsed’ the APC Presidential Candidate Tinubu.

On July 14,  An Ikeja Special Offences Court convicted and sentenced the embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, alias Baba Ijesha, to 16 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor.
On July 28, a military checkpoint close to Zuma Rock, a border between Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was attacked by suspected terrorists.

On August 4, A former Inspector-General of Police, Mustapha Balogun, died at a hospital in Lekki, Lagos at about 8:30 pm during a brief illness. He died at 74.

On September 8, United Kingdom longest-serving monarch Queen Elizabeth II Former Queen of the United Kingdom died at Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom Her first son King Charles III  sworn an oath as he was proclaimed king during an elaborate ceremony at St James’ Palace, London on Saturday September 10.
On September 28, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal of took over from former Ekiti Dr. Kayode Fayemi as chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

October 10, PDP presidential campaign began in Uyo.

October 11, Nigeria’s President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, conferred National Honours Awards on 447 recipients comprising Nigerians and non-Nigerians labelled “friends of Nigeria”

October 14,  Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja nullify the Federal governments 15-count charges against the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu and ordered his release.

October 21, reports by the The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization revealed that the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria at 20 million.

November 1, the entertainment industry were thrown into morning as a siger Davido’s first son, Ifeanyi, Davido’s, died after reportedly drowning in a swimming pool at his father’s residence in the Banana Island area of Lagos State.
November 23: President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday officially unveiled the newly redesigned naira denominations of ₦‎1000, ₦‎500 and ₦‎200 introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 

November 29: The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja sentenced the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba to three months in prison for disobeying court order.

November 27: Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP was sworn in as governor of Osun State.

November 29: Former Minister of Steel Development in the Second Republic, Wantaregh Paul Unongo died.
December 7: The Central Bank of Nigeria limit cash withdrawals to N100,000 weekly for individuals.

December 22: CBN raised its weekly cash withdrawal limits set for individuals and corporate organisations to N500,000 and N5 million for corporate organizations.

December 25, A lawyer based in Lagos, Omobolanle Raheem, was shot dead on Sunday.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) member was killed by a police Assistant Superintendent (ASP).
The incident occurred near the Ajah bridge on Christmas Day as the deceased returned from church.
Bolanle was reportedly shot while she sat in the car; the husband was beside her.

December 28: National Assembly pass N819.5 billion 2022 supplementary budget; N21.8 trillion 2023 budget.
31st December, 2022 Former pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced Saturday, almost a decade after he became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries.

Flooding in one of the major crisis that affected millions of Nigeria in 2022.  The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs said that over 4.4 million people have been affected by the floods since July 2022. with over 2.4 million people displaced. More than half of these are in Bayelsa State. Among the states listed to be affected were Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa