5 Funny Political Statements, Moments That Broke The Internet In Nigeria

Politics in Nigeria isn’t just about policies and campaigns, sometimes it’s downright hilarious. From viral gaffes to outrageous moments that had the internet in stitches.

Hereunder are five political statements and incidents that went viral, sparked memes, and reminded Nigerians that politics can be as funny as it is serious:

1. Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the “Na Your Mama Be This…” Diss Song

In March 2025, during a visit by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to Delta State College of Nursing Sciences in Agbor, a viral video captured students rejecting a welcome chant that labelled her “mother of the nation.” When the MC sang “Na our mama be this,” and expected the students to repeat the chorus. Alas! The students won’t have that and they replied, “Na your mama be this,” meaning she’s the MC’s mother, not theirs. The clip went viral, sparking memes and debates online about respect for people in positions of authority and free expression.

2. President Muhammadu Buhari’s “Lazy Nigerian Youths” Comment

In 2018, the then President Muhammadu Buhari sparked outrage among Nigerians following a UK interview where he suggested that many young Nigerians expected free benefits in an oil-rich nation without working. The comment led to a massive social media backlash, igniting the #LazyNigerianYouths hashtag on Twitter (now X), which trended for days and became a reference point in debates on youth empowerment and government responsibility.

3. NDDC Boss Pondei’s “Fake Fainting” Before the Cameras

In July 2020, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, the then acting MD of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), abruptly collapsed during a House of Representatives hearing probing alleged mismanagement of N40 billion. Officials rushed to assist him, temporarily halting the session. Many Nigerians and politicians accused him of faking the faint to evade tough questioning, a claim he denied. Pondei explained it as an “unexplained, unexpected health challenge.” The clip went viral, generating memes and sparking debates about accountability in public office.

4. The “Money-Eating Snake” Scenario

In 2018, a JAMB clerk in Makurdi, Benue State capital, claimed a snake had swallowed ₦36 million from the vault, money from scratch-card sales. The story went viral and became a byword for absurd excuses in public service. Audits later revealed staff misappropriation as the likely cause. The “snake” story lives on in memes, jokes, and endless social-media commentary about bizarre corruption excuse. In fact, the then Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, stormed JAMB headquarters in Abuja to the embarrassment of the agency officials, when he appeared with snake charmers and other items to help the Board tame money-eating snakes.

5. Tinubu’s “Hullabaloo” Flub

In November 2022, during an APC town hall in Imo State, the then presidential candidate Bola Tinubu attempted to dismiss election noise as “hullabaloo” but mispronounced it as “balabloo‑blu‑bulaba.” The clip quickly went viral, garnering millions of views online. Memes and videos paired the audio with baby talk, animal sounds, and humorous captions. However, some observers later claimed the clip had been doctored, raising questions about the authenticity of the widely shared version. However, some Nigerians have not stopped to describe President Tinubu with the distorted word.