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PRIVILEGED CHILDREN FIGHTING POLITICAL BATTLES
There appears to be a growing trend on the political scene where, holding past and serving public officials to account is being challenged by their family members.
In the last few years, family members, especially sons and daughters of political leaders, rush to defend the policies, actions and utterances of their fathers and sometimes even insult those that call on them to account for their stewardship.
Ignoring the fact that their fathers by the nature of the offices they hold or have held are answerable to the public and are liable for scrutiny, they give the impression that it is wrong for people to criticise or say anything that goes contrary to their perceptions.
The trend has become worrisome as more children of privilege have imbibed the trait, overlooking the fact that their fathers held or are holding such offices with the full retinue of media aides and spokesmen that ordinarily, are tasked with the responsibility of responding or explaining issues concerning their principals.
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Emboldened by the quiescence of their parents, they are increasingly inserting themselves into all manner fray, trying to shape public narratives and, in some cases, throwing punches against perceived political enemies of their parents.
Armed with social media handles from Facebook to X to Instagrams, they issue statements and foist their opinions on the public sometimes as Weekend Trust has observed.
It was observed that though they most times go overboard in the reactions, lashing out at personalities, rather than focus on issues, their fathers have not been seen reprimanding them, which according to sources is why the trend rather than abate is gaining currency.
A former aide to one of those whose children are quick to react on behalf of their father, told our correspondent that the parents condone it.
He said, “from my experience I can tell you that their fathers condone it. If their fathers had told them to stop, they wouldn’t be going about it all the time but since they have continued, it tells you that they not only condone but are subtly encouraging them.”
Renowned journalist and columnist, Sam Omatseye once had an exchange with the sons of the former governor of Kaduna State Malam Nasir El-rufai and wrote that it is bad enough if the head of the family cannot keep “a storm out of the family”.
He wrote: “His wife, Hadiza laid a charge at Bashir, the politician’s son who has been out of joint in his language. Bashir was taking on President Tinubu over the infantilism of Obasanjo’s tirades. A miffed Hadiza fired a poser at Bashir: “Would you say this if your father was in government?”
Not so in the past
In the past, children of political office holders like presidents, governors, ministers, local government chairmen and other appointees took the back seat when their parents were in office, allowing them to serve their tenures without poking their noses in what transpired at the official level.
They were mostly seen and not heard in public and mainly at occasions like marriages, birthdays or naming ceremonies.
A son to a former head of state was reported to have been given a reprimanding glance by his father when he exculpated the latter over the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections as newsmen threw the question at his father in his presence.
The fact that he never made such interventions on behalf of his father again since that incident showed that the latter did not approve of his outburst.
The children of General Sani Abacha, especially Ibrahim, who died in a plane crash were also visible during the reign of their father, but hardly interfered in explaining or defending the policies of their father even when he was one of the most criticised leaders.
It was years after the father had passed on that his children, especially one of his daughters, Gumsu, went to her X handle to eulogise the late military head of state. She also goes there from time to time to clarify issues she perceives as wrongly ascribed to her father. She tweeted recently that, “Maza even in death, you are their biggest competition,” while the family issued a statement when former military president, Ibrahim Babangida launched his book and blamed Abacha for the annulment of June12, 1993 elections. Even one of the grand sons of the late head of state, Raees A Abacha joined in the fray in a tweet titled ‘My grandfather saved the life of a coward’ that, “if the lifespans of these two consequential figures were reversed this treachery would never be discharged by General Abacha.”
During the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 to 2007, his son, Gbenga, became highly visible but the younger Obasanjo was not known to respond to criticisms about his father’s actions or utterances while in office. Ironically, his daughter, Iyabo, even after going into active politics by becoming a commissioner in Ogun State and later senator, did not defend her father, but even castigated him in public accusing him of all manner of things.
Buhari’s daughter, Zarah was initially enthusiastic about blowing her father’s trumpet in the early days of his administration but later went cold in that regard indicating that she had a second thought about that course of action.
The current trend
Since the swearing in of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president, two of his children, Alhaja Folashade Tinubu-Ojo and his son, Seyi, have been quite active trying to project the image of their father.
Children of other serving public officials office holders like governors, ministers and former have also joined what has become the fad.
Alhaja Folashade Tinubu-Ojo
Known as the lyaloja General of Lagos State, the daughter of President Bola Tinubu, Alhaja Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, has been active, projecting the image of her father.
At a time, she called on Nigerians to be patient with her father over the economic hardship in the country and urged the people to keep hope alive, saying the economic downturn is a global phenomenon which is not limited to Nigeria.
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She made the call while speaking with newsmen at the 2024 Mawlid Nabiyy of the Lagos State chapter of Aljamahatul Qadiriyyah Islamic Movement where she was turbaned lya Adinni of Qadiriyyah in Nigeria and Africa.
She said, “My message to all Nigerians is to please exercise a little more patience. Everything will be alright; it’s just a matter of time. We need to keep our hope alive. There is an economic downturn all over the world, and not in Nigeria alone. But we pray Allah will see us through.”
Seyi Tinubu
Seyi has been particularly vocal in defending his father’s administration and against political opponents.
During a youth engagement programme in Yola, Adamawa State, the president’s son proclaimed his father as the greatest leader Nigeria has ever had.
His words: “It was never politics, but they keep coming for me, they keep coming for my family, they keep coming for your father, they keep coming for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the greatest president in the history of Nigeria”.
Bashir and Bello Elrufai
Two of the sons of former governor of Kaduna, Bello and Bashir have been the most fervent in defence of their father.
They take utterances and actions they perceive to be against their father personal and are not diplomatic in their choice of words when reacting.
Recently, Bashir went after Governor Uba Sani, when the probe of his father’s administration over alleged mismanaging of about N423 billion by the Kaduna State House of Assembly was made public. Describing the move as political intimidation, the outspoken Bashir alleged that outside forces were teleguiding the probe.
The younger El-Rufai repeatedly brought President Tinubu under his fury in an outburst saying the IMF and World Bank could not save the president, and his strategies in controlling Lagos cannot work in Nigeria and even made veiled reference to a very influential person in government by calling him the name of a notorious Columbian war lord, Pablo Escobar!
When Governor Sani said his father left a huge debt profile and that he inherited a debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities from the el-Rufai administration Bashir responded by saying the administration of Uba Sani is suffering from incompetence and mismanagement.
His words: “The current administration in Kaduna is building a banquet hall for N7bn and is lamenting about debt left by the previous administration. These guys have realised that they are wholly incompetent and the only way to mask the nonsense is to deflect,” he wrote on his X page.
He continued: “From a governor who is always sleeping in Abuja to a litany of incompetent aides who were only rewarded for foolish political reasons.”
His brother, Bello, who is a member of the House of Representatives has also not been reticent.
He upbraided the Kaduna State House of Assembly when it established a committee to investigate financial dealings, loans, grants, and projects implementation from 2015-2023 in Kaduna State.
Bello, in messages to the House of Assembly, which he later deleted gave the Speaker of the House, Yusuf Liman, a sharp edge of his tongue. But the House of Assembly reacted, describing Bello’s utterances as disheartening.
The Assembly said in a statement: “It is disheartening that a federal lawmaker, entrusted with representing the people, would resort to such behaviour attempting to obstruct the lawful functions of the state Assembly. The Kaduna State House of Assembly wants to reassure the good people of Kaduna State that it remains steadfast in its commitment to serving without fear or favor”.
Efforts to speak with Bashir El-Rufai were unsuccessful as he neither answered his calls nor responded to a text message sent to his line. He also did not return calls put across to him.
Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed
Similarly, Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, son of Bauchi State governor, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, recently rose to his father’s defence, joining the growing list of politically vocal offsprings.
Shamsudeen called out former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, for allegedly working against his father’s re-election in 2023, adding that its time to “settle scores”.
There was an allegation that after the turbaning ceremony of the former governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, at the Bauchi Emir’s Palace that the deputy governor of Bauchi State, Auwal Jatau was slapped by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.
Following the development, Shamsudeen Bala, in a post on his Facebook handle, ridiculed Yusuf Tuggar.
He also shared posts on the alleged slap by other Facebook users believed to be his father’s political supporters.
Our correspondent made several attempts to speak with the Shamsudeen, but it did not yield fruit.
A close family member who promised to speak with him for him to explain why he blasts those opposed to his father did not succeed, as he did not get back to our correspondent as at press time.
Mohammed Atiku
When Shamsudeen accused Atiku of working against the interest of his father, it was not the former vice president’s media office that reacted, rather it was the son of the former Vice President, Mohammed, who is also the chairman of Atiku Support Organisation (ASO) that intervened.
Mohammed threw a counter accusation, saying Shamsudeen’s father never supported Atiku in his political career. The younger Atiku in a statement, said comments by Shasuddeen reek of arrogance and an exaggerated sense of relevance.
Adam Tuggar
The alleged slapping of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar by Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, also pitched Adam against Shamsudeen, accusing him of spreading falsehood.
“I am not surprised, considering he once abused and trolled highly respected individuals like Atiku Abubakar, simply because they had political differences with his father”, the younger Tuggar added.
Explaining in a statement posted on his official Facebook handle, Adam Tuggar, noted that he normally doesn’t engage in political discussions on cyberspace, but that, “The recent shameful act by the spoiled brat son of the Bauchi State Governor and his media dogs has compelled me to throw some tantrums.
He added: “Your father has more pressing issues to address. He should focus on the affairs of Bauchi State instead of diverting the masses’ attention by fabricating and spreading such stories in the media. No wonder you indulged in this act of stupidity”.
Efforts to reach Alhaji Shamsuddeen Bala Mohamed and Alhaji Adam Yusuf Maitama Tuggar for comments proved abortive, as political associates and the aides working for their fathers were skeptical in giving our reporters their phone numbers.
Our Bauchi State correspondent contacted several people, including political associates of the governor and the foreign affairs minister in his efforts to obtain the contacts, but to no avail.
Nigerians react
This trend, among several other cases, has dominated the political recently raising concern in the polity.
Political analysts are divided on the implications of this development. While some argue that these persons have every right to engage in political discourse, others warn that this emerging culture risks turning governance into a dynastic affair—one where influence is inherited, not earned. The bigger question is: should the children of public officials wield this much political capital when they themselves hold no mandate from the people?
This phenomenon appears to be gaining traction in the age of social media, where political engagement often plays out in real time and in full public view.
Chairman of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Professor Hassan Saliu, views the development as a natural consequence of unchecked privilege and long-standing access to power.
He questions the sudden wealth of many of these young figures, suggesting that their affluence is often tied to the political access of their fathers.
“Some of these boys are billionaires in dollars and other hard currencies,” he said, pointing out that their involvement is rarely accidental. In his view, the lack of restraint from their fathers often signals tacit approval, and in some cases, active grooming. “They are preparing their children for a higher role and soon, we are going to have George Bush, seniors and juniors in Nigeria,” he warned.
He noted that in the past, political children operated quietly and were mostly underground. “Even during the military era, the children were not seriously involved,” he said, though he acknowledged that they benefited through access to contracts and state patronage.
On the long-term implications, he noted, “What do you expect from them when ministers, commissioners and other top government functionaries bow down before them? We have essentially opened a new chapter and entering into another phase of Nigerian politics with the scope constantly expanding. In a political environment where nothing else is working, politics become the only game in town, drawing all manner of people into the cycle.
“We started seeing this under the late Moshood Abiola through his son Kola, but because he was not sworn in as the president, we couldn’t see the shape it would have taken. But now that we see people in power and their children have become “Mike Tysons” boxing their parents’ perceived political enemies, we will then wait and see.
“There is little we can do to checkmate it because of the nature of politics in Nigeria. Nigerians want somebody with influence and resources and these children have them in abundance to play around with. Hereditary politics is emerging in Nigeria and with the poor economic environment, how many people will be able to resist the resources that these children throw about during electoral campaigns in their quest to capture political power”, he added.
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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Kwara State, Salman Jawondo (SAN) shares a similar concern, but frames it from a legal and ethical standpoint.
He argues that while the law may not restrict these children from participating in politics, their behavior speaks volumes about a decaying political culture. “It is very unhealthy and unethical and even bad for the families involved,” he stated.
According to him, this trend reflects poor upbringing and an inability to handle the public scrutiny that comes with political life. “The first thing it shows is that these children are not well trained and they are not matured,” he stressed.
Jawondo warned that it could lead to dangerous outcomes, saying, “Nobody can predict the end as it may gradually lead to physical attacks.”
Seyid Hassan Cisse, a lecturer in politics and governance at the Kwara State University, believes the growing influence of politicians’ children is symptomatic of a vague and fragile democracy. He pointed out that, constitutionally, they are free to speak, but their prominence is magnified by their parentage. “There is no constitutional provision for the office of the son of the president or governor,” he noted, cautioning that their actions must be diplomatic, logical, and within the bounds of civility.
“In checkmating it, we have to be careful of the provision of section 33 to 43 of the constitution promulgated for civil liberty and fundamental rights of the citizens”, he submitted.
He added that this growing visibility may be part of a strategic agenda: “In the light of the concept of ‘political abracadabra,’ this could be a strategy with a salient aim they intend to accomplish and not necessarily to attack their father’s opponents.”
On whether this is a failure of parenting, Cisse argued, “There is no saint politician in the world. The reality is that the tussle for power does not require somebody to be a saint.” However, he insists that parents must play a role in guiding their children, adding, “At any rate, I think the parents should come in to curtail this kind of attitude.”
Analysts are of the opinion that if left unchecked, this trend could erode meritocracy, breed a sense of political entitlement, and entrench elite dominance.
