Call it crocodile tears if you like but politicians also cry and not a few of them have done it within the public glare. But is this public display of emotion a sincere expression or a way to curry political sympathy? That question is for the historians to answer, what is clear is that the tears have continued to flow.
Find below the full list of Nigerian politicians that have cried in public and why they did:
Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a presidential aspirant in the 2019 general election last week Friday in Abuja, openly wept for the country while speaking to some of his supporters who had purchased a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential nomination form for him.
Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari, as the then presidential candidate of the now defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), wept in the full glare of the public at an event in Abuja. He was broken by the dismal leadership records in the country.
Samuel Ortom
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, wept uncontrollably in public after it was reported that Fulani herdsmen massacred his people. The event occurred in January 2018, and scores of people including children were victims of the attacks by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
Ayodele Fayose
Ayodele Fayose, the outgoing governor of Ekiti State, broke down in tears on national television a few days to the July 14 governorship election in the state. Fayose cried when speaking on how he was in pains after being “shot at” and manhandled by security agents, lamenting that, “I cannot take this anymore” before crawling away from the camera.
Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Jonathan, former Nigeria president was seen crying at Dana plane crash site in 2012. It was reported that 153 passengers aboard the ill-fated plane lost their lives.
Joshua Dariye
Former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye, wept after an Abuja court High Court in June 2018 found him guilty of diverting N1.162 billion state ecological funds while he was in office and sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment.