Top 30 Nigeria’s Most Controversial Men

Feb 20, 2012 – Top 30 Nigeria’s Most Controversial Men

These men are headliners, they are on top in their different fields yet they have one thing in common, which brings them attention from time to time: this is controversy. In this write-up we take a critical look at some controversial men in the society, X-raying their exploits. Excerpts… naijagists.com

Chidi Mokeme

One of Nollywood’s finest dudes, this handsome thespian has featured in numerous Nollywood flicks. Ladies flock around Chidi day and night just to have his attention but he is just not ready to walk any lady down the aisle. Though several prominent babes had been linked with him in the past, he is still finding it difficult choosing the one that will spend the rest of his life with, probably because he already has a son.

Tall and heavily built Chidi is alleged to have dated one of the most powerful women in Nigeria during the Obasanjo regime––who once served as a senator and also as a special adviser. Though the affair was rumoured to have crashed due to undisclosed reasons, this has not in any way changed Chidi’s way of life.

GQ as he is fondly called, is also believed to have dated the likes of Helen Ukpabio, who is much older than him; Stella Damasus-Aboderin, Stephanie Okereke, Eucharia Anuobi, among others.

Jim Iyke

Former Globacom ambassador, Jim Iyke, who was crowned Nollywood’s Sexiest in 2008, is the king of controversy. So many allegations have trailed this actor in the past. He had on several occasions scores to settle with people both in Nollywood industry and in the outer world. He was accused to have stumbled on Emeka Ike’s path, beating him blue black. Radio personality, Olisa Adibua cannot quickly forget him in a long time. Dark complexioned Jim Iyke was whispered to be a black belt holder in karate, so it didn’t come as a surprise when he gave Olisa the beating of his life because of a babe. It caused a lot of stir in the entertainment industry.

His love life is a mess. He was at a time dating an on-air babe and the two were all over each other until their affair was on every one’s lips. But their dirty linen was later washed in the pages of magazines and newspapers. He quickly realized his career was dwindling so he resorted to anger management classes and that helped reduce the tension in him. Even after the counseling, he still gave policemen their fair share of problem. Revealed it was because of this that he got booted out of the Glo Ambassador ship.

He was alleged to have gotten involved in a N15 million scandal. We gathered the money was used in acquiring a brand new Cameron SS convertible and Plymouth Prowler convertible cars.

Dapo Oyebanjo (D’banj)

He is one of the most talented musicians in Nigeria. Christened Dapo Oyebanjo but fondly called Dbanj, the fact that he was born into a strict Christian background did not stop from being controversial. Handsome and cool headed are just the word to describe him; we guess that is why ladies flock around him. Though he is very single, ladies that have warmed Mr. Endowed’s bed cannot be counted.

Former vice-president of Nigeria’s pretty daughter,beautiful Polo boss daughter who also double has his smoking companion, Jennifer Obayunwa; Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, was not given much attention so she opted out of the relationship and became Mrs Ini Edo Ehiagwina. Multiple award-winner and Omo Ghetto producer, Funke Akindele was also among the list but that was disrupted by Koko Master’s mum because of the age difference. Sexy mother of one, Genevieve Nnaji was also counted in but as time went on, it was gathered that it was just an avenue of getting more attention. Ghanaian beautiful mullato, Nadia Buhari was also alleged to be among the list.

Another allegation leveled against the Koko Master is that he is member of the Illuminati Club, that the necklace he uses is one of the symbols of the Illuminati that other Hollywood artistes are also known with. He was sent out of church by his pastor because of the way he dressed to church. One of his widely acclaimed songs that enjoying airplay was banned by NBC because of the lyrical content.

Innocent Idibia (Tuface)

He is one of the youngest dudes with a high number of kids in the entertainment industry; 2 baba as he is fondly called is linked with three beautiful and prominent baby mamas. At one time his name was on every comedian’s lips; no joke is made without Innocent Idibia’s name. The fact that he fathered children from different babes is not the issue but all those kids were conceived outside wedlock. Some people are of the opinion that he is passing the wrong signal to younger kids because he is seen as a role model and some of his acts can be emulated. But this African Queen crooner doesn’t see any wrong in this because recently, news got circulated that he had impregnated one of his baby mamas again.

Ibrahim Balogun (Wizkid)

Pakurumo crooner, Ibrahim Balogun popularly called Wizkid is one of the youngest musicians in the entertainment industry. But the controversy that has been recorded on his account surpasses that of his age. First was when a pregnancy and baby-related issue was leveled against him. He admitted to be father of the said child until the whole story changed and Whizkid denied paternity.

Because of the fame associated with being a musician, he muddled the whole thing up. When a female fan asked for his autograph, he was alleged to have requested the babe to open her boobs so he could sign on it. People at the scene were awed that the youngster was really treading a disastrous path because he was not discreet about it. Following that is the alleged sex video tape of Wizkid that was circulated on the web, where he was having sex with a lady old enough to be his mother.

Abolore Akande (9ice)

The fact that his lover is older than him didn’t cause any strain in the relationship. When the Gongo Aso crooner got married to beautiful music manager, Seun Toni Payne, everybody believed the marriage would survive all obstacles because of the meek nature of Toni Payne. Some months later, she delivered a bouncing baby boy named Zion and everyone was happy until the devil reared its ugly head.

It all started like a drama, 9ice accused Rugged Man of dating his wife. In his Tradition album, he did a track, Once Bitten, Twice Shy to back up his claim. Later 9ice said he wasn’t referring to anybody. It was revealed that Alapomeji, as 9ice is fondly called, was aware of the sizzling romance between his wife and the rapper before he concluded plans on marriage. Though he vowed never to have anything with Toni Payne, the two love birds are back together as a couple.

After he left his producer of so many years, I.D Cabasa, his musical career suffered a setback. He had released two other albums they were not as successful as the previous ones he did. Though his pride was at stake, 9ice has summoned courage to settle his long-time rift with his Cabasa and we gathered effort is being geared to seal the relationship.

Babatunde Omidina (Baba Suwe)

Baba Suwe as he is fondly called is one of the earliest thespians in the Nollywood industry, and one of the greatest comedians too. He he has many acted in several Nollywood movies. A couple of years back he lost his thespian wife to the cold hands of death and it generated a whole lot of issues when one the kids of the late wife pointed accusing fingers at Baba Suwe. He was dof wife battering; that he had on several occasions raised his hand on his late wife, but before it got out of hand it was quickly settled within the family.

Late last year, Baba Suwe got the title King of Controversy when,on 12th of October to be precise, he was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed international airport for drug trafficking. It was reported that the body scan machine detected some substance that is believed to be cocaine concealed in his stomach while he was boarding a flight to France. The producer of Baba Jaiye Jaiyewas apprehended and kept in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA for interrogation.

After the scan detected the substance in the comedian, and he excreted close to 25 times and nothing was detected in him, it became a huge joke. Some people believed he was using juju while some believed nothing was discovered in him from the beginning. To crown it all, he was released because nothing incriminating came out of him and a court ordered NDLEA to pay him certain amount of moneyN25 million for degrading his person.

Lanre Dabiri (Eldee)

He was member of the defunct Tribesmen that consisted of Sasha, Freestyle, Kabbom (KB), Dr Sid, Timi ,2shot and others. After the breakup he started his own musical career as a solo artiste. The Bosigbangba crooner acted as co-host with a Nollywood actress Rita Dominic at the 2011 Headies Award. Though it was stated in the pass that smoking wasn’t allowed in the hall, Lanre Dabiri was seen puffing out smoke on stage in front of viewers and cameras. He didn’t see anything wrong in it but he was obviously passing the wrong signal to youngsters looking up to him.

The alleged nude picture of petite female musician, Modupeola popularly called Mocheedah got circulated through the internet, and it was discovered that she intended sending the message to Lanre Dabiri, ELDEE. Eldee, who was trying to protect his image in the industry, quickly sent a message back to the female musician but it got leaked.

Wasiu Alabi (Pasuma)

One of the most respected Fuji musicians in Nigeria, Pasuma, as he is fondly called, has the same record as 2baba –– he has fathered several babies without wedlock. This Glo Ambassador has been linked with several babes both in Nollywood and outside it. In the movie world, everybody had thought that Folake Odusanwo, popularly called Flakky Ididowo, would end up being his legitimate wife but along the line the affair crumbled and both parties had nothing to say about it. He is also rumoured to have dated light-skinned actress Iyabo Ojo but the affair crashed. Dayo Amusan among others was not left out.

What many people find unbelievable is the fact that the Orobokibo crooner doesn’t have any woman staying in his house as wife. He has many offspring from different women, and someone whispered he would have lost count of his kids. A couple of years ago, a Unilag undergraduate, it was believed, would be walking down aisle with Pasuma but it was like building castles in the air because within a short period, nothing was heard about the babe and the child.

Pasuma and his Fuji counterpart, Saheed Osupa generated controversy among music lovers when the issue of king pin in the Fuji world came up, coupled with the fact that Pasuma was solidly behind MC Oluomo, who is estranged from his boss, Alhaji Akanni Olohunwa in the NURTW.

Saheed Osupa

Controversial musician, Saheed Osupa is alleged to have dated an Ibadan-based woman who happened to be one of his fans but graduated to his friend and later to bedmate. The multi-talented musician claimed the lady wasn’t married when he met her but within a short time the woman’s belly protruded and accusing finger was pointed at Osupa. He was arrested a couple of years ago by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for spending N3 million on a lady’s party. He was also also accused of being involved in a N5.2 million debt because he failed to perform at an event he was paid for and his cars and some other property were confisticated.

Rumour also has it that he is very arrogant, and because of this he was barred from entering the Office of the Governor of Lagos State. He also offended the management of Lagos State-owned radio station, Eko FM and Radio Lagos when he failed to perform at a show to which he was invited. We gathered the management requested that no independent producer should play his music until he apologized.

The issue of who gets a music title in the Fuji arena also generated controversy between him and Wasiu Alabi Pasuma

Saheed Balogun

Estranged hubby of beautiful Nollywood actress Fathia Balogun, Saheed Balogun is one of the most talented actors in the movie industry. He is an incomparable cross-over artiste and has helped so many upcoming actors climb the ladder to success. When the news circulated around town that his marriage with Fathia had crumbled , everybody was pointing accusing fingers at the lady, not knowing that she, too, had suffered greatly from her hubby.

Though he accused the wife of jumping around with men because of money, it was also revealed that Saheed had a personal problem he had to settle within himself. He is said to have battered his wife countless times until she couldn’t stomach it again. No sooner had the marriage crumbled than he ignited another fire of passion with an abroad-based lady. They were rumoured to have done an engagement and were waiting for the wedding when the affair crashed.

Later came Nollywood actress, Funke Adesiyan whom everybody thought Mr. James Bond would settle down with and before we could say ‘Jack’, the relationship collapsed and accusing fingers was pointed to Saheed’s direction. Funke said Saheed turned her into a punching bag at every opportunity he got. She ran for her life when she couldn’t stomach the abuse again and since then, Walata hasn’t had any solid relationship.

Just as he found pleasure beating women, he also enjoys fighting his fellow men. Funsho Adeolu and Sunkami Omobolanle can testify to this.

Femi Kuti

He is the oldest son of afro beat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Christened Olufela Olufemi Kuti, the multitalented musician’s first marriage to Funke produced a son, Made. Funke works as Public Relations Officer of the National Sports Lottery. Both parties accused each other of infidelity and decided going their separate ways. No sooner had the marriage crashed than Munachi, an Igbo lady, named Femi as the father of her two children – a boy and a girl.

Another lady named Bola Ajala also bore Femi a kid named Ayomide. Femi loves kids so much that he put another of his mistresses, Bose in the family way and she delivered the fifth child of the Bang-Bang crooner. The height of the controversy happened a couple of years ago when rejected the paternity of two of his kids after he took them for a DNA test.

Late last year, Femi impregnated one of his band members named Tonia. The two love birds have been going steady for some time now and when the issue of pregnancy cropped up, he had no choice. Though he didn’t show up for the naming ceremony because he was out of the country, he provided all the necessities.

Pastor Chris Okotie

The Pastor of Household of God, Chris Okotie is one of the respected men of God in the country today; and one of the richest, too. Though his good name is being appreciated all over the country today, the controversy that has trailed this man of God cannot be easily forgotten. In the earlier part of life, he dropped out of university to pursue a musical career. His peers included Dizzy K Falola, Jide Obi and Felix Liberty. He however returned to school to complete his degree in law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and finally he became a pastor.

Several beauties were associated with Pastor Chris Okotie after his marriage to his first wife collapsed. Before he finally tied the knot with his current wife, talented Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola did her part, former Miss Nigeria, Vien Tetsola and other beautiful ladies were seen with him. He was accused of mounting bodyguards at the entrance of his church during his wedding ceremony and a journalist was said to have gotten the beating of his life in his church premises.

Some years ago, he and another pastor, Chris Oyakhilome stepped on each other’s toes when he accused the latter of being involved in fetish stuff. He claimed another pastor laid hands on Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and both pastors washed their dirty linen in public before older men of God called them to order.

He contested for the presidency of Nigeria under the umbrella of FRESH party but he failed. He took another bold step and did the same thing in 2011; still the same result. People asked him what would happen to his church if he becomes the president of the country. His response was that only a righteous leader can exalt a nation.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

His church, Christ Embassy, conducted one of the most controversial weddings of 2011 between Mercy Johnson and hubby Odinaso Okojie. It was a wedding that will take years to be forgotten. So many people were denied entry to the church because of the wedding. Pastor Oyakhilome’s Christ Embassy has been enmeshed in various atrocities, ranging from money laundering, sex scandal, fake miracles, fighting other religious leaders, use of diabolical powers and so on.

We gathered Pastor Oyakhilome and his wife of many years Anita Oyakhilome were staying apart as husband and wife and he also encourages his other pastors and their wives to stay apart. The method he uses is transferring couples to different locations. He was accused of controlling other people’s marriages without paying attention to his own. It is also recalled that flamboyant Chris Oyakhilome was a guest of the EFCC when certain illicit funds of over $35million were traced by security agents. It was revealed that the activities of this architect turned pastor was first reported to the Police Force Headquarters and later to the EFCC when the police found it difficult deciding on what to do.

Apart from the discovery of money laundering by Pastor Oyakhilome, one of his pastors in Ogba area of Lagos was said to have stolen some millions of naira from Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja where he worked as a manager before he was sacked when the fraud was discovered and he confessed he donated the money to Oyakhilome’s church.

The issue of fake miracles was discovered and his programme Atmosphere of Miracles was banned on public television stations.

Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua

He is the founder of The Synagogue Church Of All Nations. He also runs a television station. So many controversies have trailed T.B Joshua in the past and his church remains controversial both in Nigeria and abroad, claiming regular occurrences of divine miracles. Thousands of people frequent his church because they believe he cures HIV/AIDS and some other deadly diseases. He was said to predicted events in the lives of individuals who attended his church services as well as worldwide, such as the death of world famous singer Michael Jackson.

Some years back, a controversy erupted between him, Chris Okotie and Chris Oyakhilome. T.B Joshua was said to have placed hands on Chris Oyakhilome’s head and that he inducted Oyakhilome into a secret cult way back in 1986.

Tony Okoroji

Chief Tony Okoroji is the executive chairman of the Collecting Society of Nigeria (COSCON). A couple of months back, he was accused by another female, Onyeka Onwenu of nisappropriating N3 million, the burial money that was donated to Seun Rere Exponent, Late Christy Essien Igbokwe’s burial by Rivers State Government.

Charles Oputa (Charly Boy)

Area father, as Charly Boy is called by Okada riders, is one of the most controversial artistes in Nigeria. He is alleged to be a gay partner to one of the weird Dee Jjay cum mModel in Nigeria, Edun Aderenle. The controversial picture where they kissed mouth to mouth caused a stir in the industry. Some months back, he published a disclaimer that one of his staff, Helen Sosu, who many people believed was warming his bed, was no longer working for him. The genesis of the hullaballoo wasn’t revealed but people just kept raising eyebrows whenever the issue was being discussed.

Pastor Gbenga Osho

He left the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINTH) years ago in controversial circumstances to start his own church. Pastor Gbenga ,popularly called Baba One Million Children (father of one million children), is alleged to have been deceiving people into believing the television commercials where he always displays nursing mothers as those who are blessed with the fruit of the womb in his church. It is believed that the miracles are nothing but fictition and a case of the more you look, the less you see––an avenue to exploit women who are in dire need of children of their own. Those that give testimonies are each paid N10,000 before giving the testimony.

Apart from his brazen fabrications, he is accused of battering his wife, Esther and turned her into a punching bag. He was said to have locked all doors of the house so that nobody could gain access into the house until policemen came to her rescue. With all the controversy attached to this light-skinned pastor, many say he is indeed a devilish man.

Terry G

Terry G is popularly known as the Apakomaster. The President of the House of Ginjah is synonymous with controversy. He was accused by another musician, AY.Com of taking over his song in which he featured him. A.Y accused Terry G of singing his song (Pass Me Your Love) at different occasions without his consent, and he also had a physical confrontation with another musician for singing his song. He was confronted by Sideone in Benin for singing One by One and this led to a fight that led to his girlfriend arresting the manager of Sideone. He was at a time said to have camped the daughter of Fuji music star Pasuma for weeks without giving the girl a chance to reach home; the act was said to have annoyed the father but he decided to let sleeping dogs lie. It will be right to say the dreadlock-wearing Terry G who is also so much in love with marijuana is very controversial, and it is believed by many that he derives inspiration from marijuana which he is said to always take this before any performance.

Emeka Ike

One of the most talented thespians in Nollywood, dark-skinned Emeka Ike won N7 million in the Gulder Ultimate Search celebrity show. Emeka Ike was rumoured to have battered his wife on several occasions. He and black belt holder, Jim Iyke had at another time were said to have had confronted each other physically over a married lady called Ruth, who, incidentally, was the abandoned wife of Philip Ini Edo’s husband. Another controversy that has trailed Emeka Ike is the crisis he generated on who becomes the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president. He was alleged to have chased big-eyed actor, Segun Arinze with a gun. The issue of fake result had also trailed Emeka Ike among many other controversies in the past.

Lazarus Muoka

A co-founder and General Overseer of the Lord Chosen Charismatic Renewal Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka seems to have controversy attached to his name. He has from time to time been involved in one controversy or the other. His controversy history became public knowledge when his former second in command, Pastor Nnamdi Ofoegbu accused him of collecting money from him in the name of starting the church, only for him to sidetrack him when the supposed business started yielding dividend. Not long after that, another of his generals in Evangelist Juliet Ezeonye Idu accused him of involving himself in acts that are contrary to his teachings; he was accused of practising occultism and that he annually sacrifices members of his church who die through accidents and things like that. Recently another of his generals took him to the cleaners when he accused him of all sort of things that are not worthy to be said of a man in his position.

Pastor Kunle Oyedepo

The black sheep of the family, more or less, and younger brother of Bishop David Oyedepo, the presiding bishop of the Living Faith Tabernacle also known as Winners’ Chapel, Pastor Gideon, as he’s fondly called, courts controversy as if it’s a thing he cannot do without. He is the married Oyedepo that decided to have a child from society girl Funmi Orija. Though many were of the opinion that he was deceived by the devil, many believe he deliberately walked in that path as he was said to have had another child from the same lady, which forced many to conclude he must have an aura that attracts the devil. He was also said to have mismanaged funds at his disposal in the process of constructing his brother’s church-owned second university in their Omu-Aran hometown. Pastor Gideon it was that also decided to invest in hotels as he was at a time said to have acquired a building in Dubai for the purpose, while he also had one already very close to the Idi-Iroko road church of his brother. It is believed that it’s only a matter of time before this tall, gentle looking pastor delves into another controversy.

Bola Tinubu

His name was one of the most prominent during the last elections. To many he’s a threat because of what he stands for politically. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, has constituted himself as one great political opposition to the ruling party and seems undeterred by the growing number of political enemies he’s amassing daily. In the real sense of it, Tinubu can be said to have an alliance with controversy since he decided to return from exile and participate in politics. The first of such was when he was accused of lying under oath over his university certificate, though it was realized that the error occured only because of the person that filled his declaration of interest form fumbled. Of late Tinubu has shown some attitude that may successfully make him the most controversial man of this era. Some of his controversial decisions is the closing down of Ikosi campus of the state-owned Polytechnic, the land of which he sold to himself while students still occupied the place. He later converted it to his television and radio stations. Tinubu, according to sources, is fond of harnessing at least two ministries to himself in states he helps to win for his Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Another of his many controversies is his undying thirst for acquiring land in choice areas, some on which he has been erecting personal business structures. He has severally been investigated, unsuccessfully, the most recent being that of the Code of Conduct Bureau. It is the opinion of many that as long as Tinubu is still able to talk, there will be controversies leaning on him for support.

Goodluck Jonathan

He’s at the helm of one of the greatest controversies that have ever affected the most populous black nation in the world. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan drew the ire of 150 million Nigerians when he announced on January 1st that he will be removing subsidy from petrol, which prompted the greatest protest in the history of the country. Long before this he had been enmeshed in many controversies, ranging from him saying Boko Hara (a terrorist group in Nigeria) is a problem Nigeria must learn to live with, to calling some members of an opposing party rascals. His leadership quality had earlier been called to question as he’s usually quick to talk even without giving it a thought, one of which happened during the Eagle Square bombing in 2010 when he said he knew those involved only to retract it later. He was also said to have lost some money to some people who blasted a part of his house in Bayelsa years back, a statement he denied. Without argument the President has enjoyed his share of controversies and most likely he will still play some more role in the movie of controversies in future.

Sanusi Lamido

This bow-tie-wearing Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is one that loves to stir controversies and he has so many under his belt. Unknown to many, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is a Muslim not only in name but in everything and he has three wives to his credit. But that has nothing to do with his love for stirring controversies. Sanusi it was that decided to sack some bank MDs and decided to do such on the pages of newspapers. As if that was not enough, he decided to make a big deal out of Islamic banking with the way he announced its approval, knowing that Nigeria is a secular country. Sanusi is the type that loves to draw attention to him by brewing controversies.

Bayo Alao-Akala

During his tenure as governor of Oyo State, it was common knowledge that Christopher Bayo Alao-Akala couldn’t do without getting in the news for the wrong reasons. It was him that colluded with Adedibu to remove his boss, Rasheed Ladoja as governor of the state while he was the deputy governor in a manner that made a mockery of the democratic system. When he eventually become governor, he began his serial quarrels with the kings in the state. He started with the king of his hometown, the Soun of Ogbomosho, who he criticised for not supporting his ambition amongst many other allegations. After that he decided to pounce on Olubadan of Ibadan, who he decided not to pay because of his decision not to campaign for him. He then had an axe to grind with the Alaafin of Oyo, who claimed Akala wanted to kill him only for the very controversial Akala to reply he would rather dethrone him than kill him. Akala later came back during the electioneering process to claim he was adopting Alaafin as father.

Babatunde Raji Fashola

The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, BRF as fondly called by his followers, shows that he’s a man that sometimes believes in attracting controversy. The one that shook him most was the one involving his political godfather and former governor of the state, Bola Tinubu, which threatened his return for second term. He was also in the thick of things recently when he decided he would be levying the residents of Lekki-Ajah area of the state through his introduction of three toll gates on their less than 30 km road, a decision that some elites living in the area protested and were dispersed by the mobile policemen deployed there by the governor. The most recent of the controversies involving him is the claim by the Federal Government that he requested them to deploy soldiers to chase away protesters at the Freedom Park in Ojota area of the state where they had gathered to show their anger against subsidy removal.

Tonye Cole

He was relatively unknown a couple of months back, but like it is difficult to eat walnut without the person sitting next to you knowing you are munching something, Tonye Cole has been enjoying his share of controversies of late. The first was when his Sahara Energy was fingered as the brain selling kerosene subsidized for the consumption of the people to airlines, thereby reducing supply of the product to the people. Though he denied such allegation, stating that it was the work of his enemies, the truth is that he sure got himself into that controversy. Another of such was his role in the raging fuel subsidy issue. Tonye, a trained architect, was on the list of oil marketers who received subsidy without supplying the product and he is being investigated by the House of Representatives.

Tunde Bakare

Without any argument the Mr. Controversy of Nigeria, the lawyer turned pastor is said to be capable of stirring controversy even among angels. Pastor Tunde Bakare has on many occasions caused uproar among pastors in the country. At a time he accused the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye of lying; at another he said Bishop Oyedepo is demonic because of the content of one of his books, a situation that nearly led to fight between the congregations of the two before the fire of controversy he started was quenched. He’s also known for his reckless statements on anybody. He declared that he would make sure Nigeria is ungovernable for the President if he did not revert the price of petrol during the subsidy protest and this was responsible for the decision by the President to deploy soldiers to Lagos; to forestall breakdown of order as threatened by the pastor. It is the general belief that he starts controversy every time he speaks with the media.

Toyin Subair

His case can be likened to that of the prodigal child. Toyin Subair is the Chairman and the owner of the satellite pay TV, HiTV. It was believed by many that the satellite TV would be people-oriented but it proved to be worse than the existing ones. Toyin who operates the satellite TV from the loan he received from a bank in Nigeria, started living a life of affluence. Though he is not paying his staff well he cruises around in chartered flights and will not lodge in hotels not at least four-star, not forgetting his decision not to service his bank loan. He was so reckless while he owned the right to show the English Premier League to viewers in Nigeria that his company suffered heavily the rejection of the people because of his controversial lifestyle.

Jimoh Ibrahim

The self-dubbed African Donald Trump, Jimoh Ibrahim enjoys controversy. This lawyer turned businessman seems to have built his business empire on controversy. His take-over of National Insurance Company of Nigeria (NICON) is still enmeshed in controversy; recently a company accused him of stealing NICON from them and that he underpaid for the company. He had also been involved in taking over and killing of some ailing businesses like EAS Airline and recently, Owena Motels. He was at a time at war with the governor of his state, Ondo, who he accused of being responsible for the kidnap of his mother among many of such allegations.

Professor Athahiru Jega

The main actor in the controversy that surrounded the last general election in the country, Professor Athahiru Jega, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), just like his predecessor promised to conduct a free and fair election, heightening the expectation of the people, who were not only surprised but disappointed at the way he handled the pre-election processes. His budget of over N80 billion draw anger of the and the way and manner he handled it was even annoying. It started with him using sub-standard equipment for the registration and in the process denied eligible voters right to vote. As if that was not enough, he created the greatest electoral controversy of all time when, hours into the Federal Legislative election he announced that it had been cancelled because of logistic problems. This was though some areas were almost through with the voting processes. Many controversies may still crop up relating to the last general elections as the results of many are still being challenged in court.

Bukola Saraki

He was born into a family where controversy is a normal thing and he relishes it. Bukola Saraki is the immediate past governor of Kwara State and the first son of the strongman of Kwara politics, Chief Olusola Saraki popularly called Baba Oloye. Bukola is so much used to controversy that decided to use government fund to renovate his father’s house at Ilorin GRA, where he lived for 8 years as governor of the state. His greatest controversy till date is his decision to go against the will of the father in the process of appointing his successor during the last election. It is no news that his father decided to field him years before then against the choice of the elite in the state he decided against the choice of his father in his sister as the governor. The subsequent crisis made people ask question about his legitimacy for ridiculing his father in such manner. Though he has reconciled with his father, the controversy generated by that act will not be waved aside in a hurry.

Pastor Mathew Asimolowo

He was embroiled in so many controversies that it took super human effort for him to be still up and doing. He was at a time engulfed in an issue that had to do with his church finances; a controversy that was generated by the British Government’s decision to fine him for issues related to tax evasion. He was recently embroiled in another one that had to do with the demolition of his church by the London mayor for the purpose of building facilities for the Olympics which will be hosted in the city later this year. Though Ashimolowo has been a bit quiet for some time now, he has stirred many controversies in the past, like his statement on the relationship between T.B Joshua and Chris Oyakhilome.

Richard Mofe-Damijo

He is best known as the Nigeria’s number one playboy, though the current commissioner for culture in Delta State is on a quiet side but he has a weakness when it comes to women dating both young and old women. He was said to have married his  first wife May Ellen Ezekiel whom he allegedly married because of what he is going to benefit from her and shortly after her death having gained from her he quietly moved away

He is alleged to have ruined the first marriage of former Lagos State governor General Buba Marwa. The alleged illicit relationship was said to have scattered the once up a time chummy relationship between the military officer and his wife of many years the controversy that the escapade was manage by the General because of his image in the society.

Bishop Mike Okonkwo

The General Overseer of The Redeemed Evangelistic Ministry, Bishop Mike Okonkwo is a general in God’s vineyard but the case with this General is that he has at different times attracted controversy. One of these was his role in the botched Reverend Benny Hinn crusade in Lagos years back. The crusade, put together by Bishop Lanre Obembe of the El-Shadai Bible Church and the then Lagos State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), an association which Bishop Okonkwo is the National President, was declared a flop even by the guest minister who claimed he had invested millions of dollars on the crusade. In response, the Bishop Mike Okonkwo-led executive placed Obembe on suspension, and in response Obembe linked his suspension to the fact that he refused to release the money Benny Hinn gave them for the organization of the crusade to Okonkwo, who he said wanted to take over the crusade immediately money became involved, and it was for that reason Okonkwo sabotage the programme, Obembe claimed. His name also was also mentioned in the case involving advance fee fraud kingpin Emmanuel Nwude and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a property the 419er gave to his church in Anambra State. The building in question was used as the administrative headquarters of the church in Onitsha and it was one of the listed property of Emmanuel Nwude which the agency seized. This called into question the character of the Bishop for taking such gift from known people of questionable character.

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo

Good looking Pastor husband of the former most beautiful girl in Nigeria Ibidun Ajayi, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo was at the centre of a controversy that rocked Christianity in the country a couple of years back when he decided to remarry after about 7 years of separation from his first wife over irreconcilable differences, which contradicts the doctrine of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), where he was a pastor at a parish in Gbagada. In the process he was sacked as a pastor of the church, which generated so much controversy both within and outside the church. It was during the thick of the crisis generated by his sack that he declared that he would remain a member of the church forever even when his parish members wanted him to break away. But to the surprise of many, he decided months later to start his own church, the Trinity House, not only moving members of the congregation of his parish but also ordained about five pastors from the church into his own. He later claimed all he did was approved by the GO of the RCCG, a situation that degenerated into controversy in which the GO has to clear his name of approving anything of such.

Cardinal Odunmbaku (Baba Eto)

His name could be said to be the beginning of wisdom for those in the politics of Lagos State. Cardinal Odunmbaku, popularly known as Baba Eto, lives and dines with controversy. His name has been linked with many controversial issues rocking the state. Though he’s seen as a pastor, it is confirmed that he has more than one wife, which on its own is a controversial issue in the Christian fold. Baba Eto is the unseen hand behind the removal of Hon Bayo Odulana, popularly known as Niganga, over issues relating to constituency project money Niganga gave to him. He was at a time said to be at loggerheads with the pastor and founder of Christ Living Spring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM), Pastor Wole Oladiyun.

This and so many others are controversies that had at different times rocked the polygamous pastor cum politician over time. (Credit: global news)