Kizz Daniel’s song Buga has become a hit with Nigerian politicians at rallies and events. Four years after its release, the song seems to be enjoying a second life.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole were the latest to get in on the action. They danced energetically to Buga at an APC rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The rally took place on Friday as supporters gathered to back President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
As the song played, the two leaders moved to the beat and raised their shoulders with party supporters watching. Videos of their performance quickly spread online, leading to funny and supportive reactions from social media users.
This light-hearted moment was not the first time Buga had been featured in Nigerian politics. The song was released in May 2022 by Kizz Daniel and features Tekno. It quickly became a global Afrobeats hit, inspiring a dance that includes raised shoulders and a celebratory pose.
The phrase “buga won” encourages people to celebrate their achievements. Buga’s uplifting message and catchy dance have made it popular at political events and public gatherings.
In November 2022, then Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo danced and sang to Buga while addressing participants at a global tourism conference in Lagos. He used the song to show how Nigerian music crosses language and cultural barriers. He even got the international audience to join in the shoulder dance.
Osinbajo also sang parts of Burna Boy’s Last Last and Asake’s Organise to highlight the global impact of Nigerian music and culture. President Tinubu also danced to Buga in December 2022 after speaking at Chatham House in London during his campaign.
Another video from January 2023 showed him getting down to the song at a town hall meeting with young Nigerians in Abuja. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was also seen dancing to Buga after winning the APC ticket for a second term in 2022.
These appearances have helped make Buga a favorite at political events, moving beyond just parties and social media challenges. The upbeat music helps to energize crowds and makes candidates seem more relatable.
The Uyo rally was part of President Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom State. He inaugurated several projects completed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration and took part in the APC’s political mobilization ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tinubu arrived in Akwa Ibom on Friday with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. They were welcomed by Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Eno, and other officials. Some of the projects inaugurated included the international terminal at Victor Attah International Airport, the International Airport Hospital, and Ibom Aviation Village.
Other projects included the Airport-Okopedi Road, Ring Road 3, the AKWA-GIS Office Complex, the Command and Control Centre, and ARISE Palm Resort. The rally, tagged #RenewedHopeInAkwaIbom, brought together APC leaders, political stakeholders, and supporters of Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Days earlier, Shettima had also captured attention at an APC rally in Calabar, Cross River State. He and the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, ran to the podium and performed dance moves.
But in Uyo, the catchy tune of Buga took over the stage. Shettima and Oshiomhole joined the growing list of Nigerian politicians who have danced to this song in public. From tourism conferences to campaign events, Buga has become a favorite for politicians looking to excite crowds and show off their successes.
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