In the image of the father: * Children of Nigerian politicians are taking over from their fathers

A fruit does not drop far from its tree. In Nigeria, children are being made in the image and likeness of their parents, following their footsteps in their professions.

It is common to see children of lawyers becoming lawyers like their parents. Medical doctors beget their type and now more frequently, Nigerian politicians are teaching  their children the ropes of politics. Hence, an Iyabo Obasanjo became first, a commissioner and then a senator; Dimeji Bankole became a legislator and then Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Olumide Osoba

Bukola Saraki and his sister Gbemi became governor and legislator respectively. Now, Bukola is set to become a senator just like his father Senator Olusola Saraki and his sister. The list of children of past governors, legislators and top politicians who are toeing the line of their parents is endless. Bianca Ojukwu, daughter of former Anambra Governor, C.C Onoh is now Special Assistant to President Jonathan.

Currently, the stage is set for the new dispensation commencing May 29. A new crop of politicians’ children contested in the last general elections under the influence of their fathers. Some won. Others lost.

In Lagos state, Deji Jakande, son of  Alhaji Lateef Jakande , first civilian Governor of Lagos State, cut his political teeth first , as  personal assistant to the former Lagos State Governor and national leader of ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In the last elections, he   contested for Somolu Federal Constituency on the platform of ACN and  won. Also, the son of Jakande’s former deputy, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo Wale Jafojo contested for Agege Constituency 1  for  Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of PDP but did not  win.

Prince Sultan Adeniji-Adele , candidate of  the ACN, for the Lagos State House of Assembly, and son of Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele, former Chairman of Lagos Island LG and currently  Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, followed the footsteps of his father and emerged successful.He will  represent Amuwo-Odofin Constituency 1 in the Lagos Assembly.

Aged 31, he is going to be one of the youngest legislators in the House of Assembly. Also in Lagos, former Lagos governor, Asiwaju Tinubu’s  wife emerged  candidate for Lagos Central senatorial district and won at the polls.
Jumoke Okoya Thomas, is also returning to the National Assembly for a third term. The daughter of  Asoju Oba of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas  is representing the Lagos Island 2 Federal Constituency.

However, Babajide Obanikoro, son Nigeria’s  High Commissioner in Accra , Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro who was the PDP candidate for Eti-Osa State Constituency I was defeated at the polls.

Also in Lagos, the son of the National Publicity Secretary of ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Folajimi was not successful in his political bid.  Folajimi Mohammed lost out in the Ikeja Federal Constituency race just as Bayo, son of Chief Dapo Sarunmi of  PDP lost  to the ACN candidate. Dayo Busira Alebiosu, the son of Otunba Busirat Alebiosu, who is currently representing the Kosofe Federal Constituency in the National Assembly will return having been re-elected for another term.

In Ogun, son of former Governor Olusegun Osoba,Olumide,won  Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency. He contested on the platform of the ACN.One of his opponents was  Lekan Abiola son of the late MKO Abiola who lost at the primary.

Bukola Saraki

Also in Ogun State, daughters of former President Obasanjo and Chief MKO Abiola slugged it out over  the PDP ticket for Ogun Central Senatorial district. In  the tussle were, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Hon. Lola Abiola-Edewor, daughter of the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential elections, the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, currently represents Ogun Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Abiola-Edewor, was a member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003 on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD). Iyabo Obasanjo wanted a re-election and defeated  Abiola-Edewor in the primary to get  the ticket of the party. But she lost the election, the  Ogun Central Senatorial seat to Olugbenga Obadara.

Gboyega Adefarati, son of a former governor of Ondo State, Adebayo Adefarati, and ACN candidate for Akoko South-West and South-East Federal constituency lost the election.

In Oyo State, Lam Adesina’s son, Adedapo,ACN  candidate for Ibadan South East/North East was not successful in his bid for the House of Representatives.  He lost to the candidate of Accord Party (AP). Also in Oyo, late Chief Lamidi Adedibu son, Senator Kamardeen Adedibu was defeated by Chief Olufemi Lanlehin who contested on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Olufemi Adedibu is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry and is currently representing Oyo South in the Senate. In Oyo state also, Jumoke Akinjide, daughter of Chief  Richard Akinjide, (SAN), Second Republic Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and  senatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lost to Hon. Ayo Adeseun who contested on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

The current  Kwara State governor Bukola Saraki, son of  Olusola Saraki, the  second republic Senate leader would proceed to the Senate after handing over May 29 . However, his sister

Gbemi Saraki , also daughter of Senator Olusola Saraki who was in the House of Representatives in 1999 and in 2003, was elected into the senate was not successful in her bid to succeed her brother as governor of Kwara State on May 29.

Her party, the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), was not victorious in the polls.Another prominent Nigerian whose son contested last election was late General Sani Abacha. His son Muhammed contested governorship election in Kano on the platform of CPC. He lost.

In subsequent elections, more silver-spoon children of active and non-active  politicians would contest elections in Nigeria. This means that Nigeria is on the verge of  building new political dynasties.