Pulse List: 7 Nigerian politicians whose children are now political leaders

Children of Nigerian politicians are taking after their parents as active and retired politicians prepare their children for political roles.

Already, some of these children have become lawmakers in their states, and with the 2023 general elections on the horizon, it’s expected that the pool will get wider as more politicians’ kids are expected to occupy elected offices.

It seems every Nigerian politician is copying from the playbook of Olusola Saraki political dynasty.

The late Saraki was a popular and successful politician, who was the Senate Leader in the Second Republic, and later became the political god-father of Kwara politics for years before he died in November 2012.

Before his death, the Ilorin-based politician had introduced two of his children, Gbemisola and Bukola to politics.

Bukola went on to become a two-time governor of Kwara state and then the President of the Senate, while Gbemisola is currently a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after serving one term in the House of Representatives and twice in the Senate.

Here are some Nigerian politicians whose children are also in politics.

David Mark and Hon. Blessing Onuh

Hon. Blessing Onuh, the Senator representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of Benue State is the daughter of the former President of the Senate, David Mark.

The 45-year-old graduate of the University of Lagos has been a member of the House of Representatives and has been in the house since 1999.

Currently, she is a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress.

Segun Osoba and Olumide Osoba

Chief Segun Osoba is a renowned journalist and two-time governor of Ogun State. His son, Olumide Osoba, an alumnus of the University of Lagos and London School of Economic and Political Science is now a lawmaker.

Olumide is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing Abeokuta North/ Obafemi- Owode/Odeda.

He was elected into the house in 2011, and he’s now the Chairman, House Committee on Sports.

Lai Mohammed and Folajimi Mohammed

Jubril Folajimi Mohammed is the son of the Federal Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. 

The 41-year-old law graduate is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Ikeja I Constituency of Lagos State.

Folajimi has been a lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015 on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Musiliu Obanikoro and Babajide Obanikoro

Musiliu Obanikoro is a former Senator from Lagos State, former Minister of State for Defence and former Ambassador to Ghana.

His son, Babajide is currently a member of the House of Representatives, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency.

The 40-year-old is a graduate of St. Cloud University, Minnesota, USA, and Pace University, New York where he studied Political Science (BSc) and Political Administration (MSc) respectively.

Lateef Jankande, Deji Jakande and Seyi Jakande

The late Alhaji Lateef Jankande was the first civilian governor of Lagos State.

akande died in February 2021, at the age of 91, but like Saraki, before his death, two of his children, Deji and Seyi had taken after him.

While Deji is now a member of the House of Representatives, his brother, Seyi is currently the Vice Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

Olatunji Hamzat and Obafemi Hamzat

The late Olatunji Hamzat was one of the prominent Lagos politicians who served as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and as a Commissioner for Transportation in the state between 1979–1983.

His son, Obafemi Hamzat is now the Deputy Governor of Lagos State. 

In 2005, Hamzat was appointed Commissioner for Science and Technology during the tenure of Bola Ahmed Tinubu; he retained the position during the administration of Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Babajide Akeredolu

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his son, Babajide Akeredolu are in charge of the affairs of the people of Ondo State.

The governor recently appointed and swore in his son as the Director-General of the newly created Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit.

Justifying the appointment of his son, the governor said his administration would continue to engage qualified and competent youths irrespective of their affinity.

Babajide graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he studied Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering.