Kenyan President William Ruto and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have been named among the five 2024 finalists for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) “Person of the Year” award.
Ruto received over 40,000 nominations for OCCRP’s “Person of the Year” award. The surge was driven by widespread anger over a contentious finance bill, soaring youth unemployment, and frustration with government corruption.
In June and July, young Kenyans staged weeks of protests demanding Ruto’s resignation. The demonstrations were met with a brutal crackdown by security forces, who used tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition. Many protesters were killed, injured, or disappeared during the unrest.
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ranked third, earning a spot among the finalists. He has faced repeated allegations of involvement in drug trafficking, forgery, and financial malpractice.
Since assuming office, Tinubu’s administration has been plagued by widespread complaints, protests, and controversies, fueled by policies widely criticized as “anti-people.” Earlier this year, both presidents became the subject of unflattering descriptions – as the costs associated with their alleged penchant for air travel often contrasted with tough economic conditions at home.
“The judges acknowledged the importance of public interest and outrage at corruption. However, since the award is given to the person who has done the most to wreak havoc around the world through organized crime and corruption, they ultimately chose ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as the winner,” OCCRP stated.
As one of the world’s longest-serving dictators, Obiang rose to power through a coup in 1979, overthrowing his uncle. His regime has been marked by severe repression, including unlawful arrests, forced disappearances, and systematic torture to silence dissent.
For the first time in its 13-year history, the contest introduced a special “Lifetime Non-Achievement Award,” bestowed upon Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
