Democracy in Nigeria: Inside Nigeria’s political dynasties

More children of past and present political leaders in the country are getting actively involved in politics, Weekend Trust can authoritatively reveal.

Checks by our correspondents reveal that an increasing number of children of political icons from the 1st Republic to the current dispensation are either contesting various elective positions or are using their privileged backgrounds to secure political appointments.

The development according to our findings has become more trendy in the current dispensation as more are set to join the race for elective positions.

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Our correspondents report that in 2023 no less than 15 offspring of persons who have held privileged positions in the country vied for various elective positions and won in circumstances that cannot be divorced from the influence of their parents.

In the current House of Representatives, there are no less 10 offspring of former governors alone who have either contested and won or lost at various stages.

Those that won include former governor James Ibori’s daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu; Nasir El Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai; ex Gov Alao Akala’s son, Olamiju Akala;  ex-Gov. Segun Osoba’s son, , Olumide Osoba ; ex-governor Adefarati’s son, Adegboyega Adefarati and daughter of former military governor of Niger state and former senate president,  President David Mark’s daughter, Blessing Onyeche Onuh.

Former information minister, Jerry Gana’s son, Joshua Gana; is also in the House of Representatives. 

While some contested elections, many have been appointed into political offices both at the state and federal levels like former governor Okowa’s daughter and Umar Ganduje’s daughter.

This has indicated that the old breed politicians who either due to age or other circumstances are leaving the stage, are influencing their children to toe their line and  take over from them and are in the process, building political dynasties that would outlive them or at least put their children in strategic leadership positions.

The development has been gaining momentum since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 but critics say it’s becoming a subtle way of recycling power within a closed political class.

While observers agree that there’s nothing inherently wrong with such person taking after their parents especially when they are qualified to do so, they warn that the trend could stifle service delivery and fairness when such ascendancy is more as a result of parental influence than merit.

Analysts say this dynamic sidelines other equally qualified Nigerians who may lack access to influential networks or economic power to navigate Nigeria’s highly monetised political terrain.

They argue that in most cases, appointments after elections are determined not necessarily by competence but by loyalty, connections and contributions to political campaigns, among others.

The analysts fear that the entrenchment of political dynasties will inevitably lead to the permanent exclusion of many ordinary citizens.

In other countries

The trend is not peculiar to Nigeria as cases abound on a global scale where those who have attained political heights try to pass the touch to the next generation of their family members.

In India, three generation of the Nehru family have ruled the country including the father, Jawaharlal Nehru who was India’s first prime minister, his daughter, Indira Gandhi who remained India’s only female prime minister and his grand son, Rajiv Gandhi.

In America, the Kennedy family almost got to installing a dynasty winning many political offices including that of the President.

But the family that came closer to achieving that is the Bush family with both George W Bush snr and his son, George Bush jnr being presidents at different times.

In Africa, there are people like Joseph Kabila who became president of DR Congo after his father,  Faure Gnasingbe in Togo and Ali Bongo Ondimba who reigned after his father in Gabon till he was overthrown. 

2027 in focus

As the election year approaches, there are the feelers about those who will likely contest elective positions in 2027 and they include the children of past and present political leaders in Nigeria.

Top among those being touted to run is Seyi Tinubu,  son to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria current president.

Though he has not said anything in the regard, his name has been mentioned several times as one of those to contest for the Lagos governorship seat in 2027.

Despite his reticence in that regard, his anxiety to be in the political arena frequently gives him away as one nurturing a political ambition.

Bookmakers have zeroed the ambition on the Lagos governorship seat because the current governor, Sanwo-Olu is serving his second term which would terminate in 2027 and due to the fact that the president has a lot of influence on who governs Lagos State.

Apart from Seyi, most of the children of political leaders who have won various elective seats especially in the current Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly are expected to stage come backs.

Dynasties in Nigeria’s political history

Only a few of the political figures that fought for Nigeria’s independence and later took leadership positions after independence had the privilege of grooming their children to the extent that they wound succeed them.

This is due to hiccups in smooth transitions occasioned by violent coups and counter coups as well as the not too savoury experiences of many of them whose reputations were tainted by allegations of corruption and even convictions.

A source said many of the early politicians left the stage early while those that continued made deliberate efforts to keep their children out of politics.

The most well-known attempt by a political figure to consciously groom his child to learn the trade was said to be by the late elder statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was said to be intentional about having his son, Segun, who took after him in the law profession involved in his political activities but lost the chance when the latter died in a car accident at the age of 24.

Several years later, Awolowo’s daughter,Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu took the gauntlet and contested for the governorship seat of Lagos state in 1992 but did not make it.

Second Republic Senate leader, Abubakar Olusola Saraki, went farther than that as he succeeded in backing his son, Bukola, to become governor of Kwara State in 2003, but his attempt to have his daughter Gbemisola continue in that direction after Bukola’s eight year tenure, did not see the light of day.

To watchers of political events, it is not clear if Chief MKO Abiola, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and who is believed to have won the June 12 1993 elections had wanted his children to go into politics but he was intentional about exposing them to his friends and political associates. 

After his attempt to become Nigeria’s president and eventual death, some of his children went into politics. Kola, his first son, was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, in the 2023 elections.

In the not-too-distant past, the larger-than-life image of people in the corridors of power has paved way for their family members to win political offices.

The wife of former secretary to the Government of the Federation, Eme Ufot Ekaette was elected senator representing Akwa Ibom South in 2007 and former minister of defence, TY Danjuma’s wife, Daisy was also a senator.

Those that paved the way

Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former Nigeria’s president chief Olusegun Obasanjo also made it to the Senate and represented Ogun Central Senatorial District of Ogun State in 2007.

She re-contested for the seat in 2011 on the PDP platform, but was defeated by Olugbenga Onaolapo Obadara of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN.

Daughter of 2nd Republic governor of Plateau State, Beni Lar, in what was also believed to be a benefit of her father’s influence,  also became an adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo and later won elections in her Langtang North/ South Federal constituency for four consecutive times to the House of Representatives.

Son to the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Ibrahim Dasuki, Abdussamad Dasuki, served as the commissioner of finance in Sokoto State from 2019 to 2023 and won elections to House of Representatives and served between 2015 and 2019, representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket.

The son to former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, also paired with Bello Matawalle of the PDP in Zamfara State and was the state deputy governor between 2019 and 2023.

2nd Republic presidential candidate of the GNPP, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim’s daughter, Hajiya Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim represented Damaturu/Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuwa Federal Constituency of Yobe State.

Her father was also a minister in the 1st Republic.

She was married to Senator Bukar ABBA Ibrahim a former governor of Yobe state and in 2016, was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affair.

Former governor of defunct Gongola State and national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur had his sons Awal in the House of Representatives between 1999 to 2003.

Awal was touted as nursing an ambition to be governor of Adamawa State.

Former governor of Adamawa State Murtala Nyako’s son, Abdulaziz was also in the Senate.

Both Tukur and Nyako accused each other of trying to enable their sons become governor of Adamawa State.

There was also the case of the former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji also went into politics taking after his father.  

He ran for the Umuahia Central State Constituency and served as the 11th Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly between 2019 and 2023.

The current ones

Former governor of Niger State, now a senator, Abubakar Sani Bello, who is a son to Col. Sani Bello (rtd) who served as military governor of Kano between 1975 and 1978 after leaving office as governor contested and won the Niger North senatorial district seat.

The younger Bello popularly known as Abulolo served as Niger governor for eight years between 2015 and 2023.

Son to Nigeria’s 1st Republic minister of Lagos Affairs, Musa Yar’adua, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua who retired military officer comes from a well established background.

He is not just the son of a former minister but brother to former Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’adua and former de facto vice president of Nigeria, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

Abdulaziz contested and won elections to the Senate in 2023 and is currently the senator representing Katsina Central senatorial district. 

He had contested the party primaries for the Katsina State gubernatorial seat in 2015 but lost to former house speaker Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari. 

Though out of power, three former governors of Delta State: James Onanafe Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa have indirectly not left the power loop with their children in the corridors of power at both the state and national levels.

A daughter of Ibori, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, in what is believed to be through her father’s political influence, secured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta State during the 2023 National Assembly elections.

Ibori is seen as the political godfather and “kingmaker” of Delta politics and has influence in the emergence of leaders in the state.

The daughter polled 46 votes to defeat her main challenger, Ben Igbakpa, a then sitting lawmaker, who scored 22 votes in a run-off primary election.

After getting to the House of Reps, she was appointed chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which is considered one of the juicy committees in the Green Chamber.

Findings revealed that it takes some level of connection and influence to be considered to head some of the ‘juicy’ committees of the House more so as Ibori’s daughter is a first timer in the House of Representatives.

There’s also former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa’s daughter, Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, who secured the PDP’s ticket for Ika North East House of Assembly seat in the state.

She was returned unopposed in the primary election for the seat and went on to win the election to represent the people of Ika North East in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Daughter of former governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Orode Uduaghan, has also been appointed to serve as a commissioner in the present administration in the state.

Orode, lost her earlier bid to clinch the PDP’s ticket for Warri North in the House of Assembly, and the appointment is seen as a “compensation” for her loss.

A son of the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai, Bello el-Rufai, is also in the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency. 

Like Ibori’s daughter, he also got committee chairmanship slot in the 10th House of Representatives as he was named Chairman, House Committee on Banking Regulations.

Bello was able to secure the ticket of the ruling APC in Kaduna, displacing a sitting member, and went on to win the Kaduna North Federal Constituency seat during the 2023 elections.

There’s also Blessing Onyeche Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark who is serving a second term as the member of the House of Representatives, representing the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of Benue State. 

She began her political career with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), later joining the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and eventually defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2021. She was re-elected in 2023 and currently serves as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Land Transport.

Onuh hails from Otukpo, Benue State, acted as Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. From 2010 to 2015, she was the Secretary of the Social Welfare Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

Other children of politicians in the 10th House of Representatives include Adegboyega Adefarati, son of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Adebayo Adefarati. The junior Adefarati heads the House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity.

Adegboyega Adefarati holds a bachelors’ degree in history from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and also obtained his masters’ in business administration from the Lagos State University (LASU).

Another legislator is Olamiju Akala, who is the son of a former Governor of Oyo State, late Adebayo Alao Akala.

He is also not left out as he heads the Committee on Youth in the parliament.

Olamiju Akala obtained bachelors’ degree in computer and information science from Lead City University in 2009, and also obtained a masters’ degree in service management from Buckingham University in 2011.

Also in the league is  Olumide Osoba, the son of a former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, who heads the House Committee on Justice in the House of Representatives

Joshua Gana, son of veteran politician and scholar, Prof. Jerry Gana, is among children of influential politicians who made it to the 10th National Assembly. He currently represents Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency of Niger State in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Though his election was initially annulled by the tribunal in September 2023, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision in November of the same year, affirming his mandate. Gana now serves as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, where he plays a strategic role in legislative oversight of Nigeria’s energy sector

Failed attempts

There are instances however where even with the added advantage of being from politically exposed families, attempts to leverage on the popularity, wealth and family influences failed to secure elective positions.

The son of former head of state, Sani Abacha, Mohammed, has made repeated attempts to become governor of Kano State but has not been successful.

His latest attempt was in 2023 when he vied for the governorship ticket of the PDP in Kano but lost out in the legal tussle.

Former military governor of Sokoto State and former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Gado Nasko whose son, Umar Mohammed Nasko contested the Niger governorship seat is also yet to make it. 

The younger Nasko is a two time governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State in 2015 and 2019. He lost both elections to Abubakar Sani Bello of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 and 2019 after winning the PDP’s party primaries.

Nasko has however, served as commissioner for culture and tourism, transport and infrastructural development, youth development, as well as environment, parks, gardens and forest resources during the administration of Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu from 2007 to 2015 and Chief of Staff to the Governor of Niger State until December 2014.

Mustapha Lamido, son to former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido also wanted to succeed his father in 2023 but failed. He was the PDP governorship candidate in Jigawa state in the last elections but lost at the general polls.

Former governor of Imo Stats, Rochas Okorocha, also tried to make his son-in-law Ugwumba Uche Nwosu succeed him but couldn’t as Nwosu lost out in a web of intricate political maneuvers to the chagrin of his father-in-law.

There’s also former Jonah Jang’s son, Yakubu who benefited from appointments as adviser to his father and later commissioner. He contested for the House of Representatives ticket in 2023 but couldn’t secure the party ticket.

Son to former governor of Benue- Plateau State, Joseph Gomwalk, Yilji Gomwalk was paired up as running mate to the 2015 governorship candidate of the PDP in Plateau State, GNS Pwajok, but the duo lost the election to Simon Lalong of the APC.

But Yilji served as the Commissioner for lands, survey and town Planning in the Jonah Jang administration.

Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, a former ambassador of Nigeria to Switzerland, also saw his son Waziri running for the House of Representatives seat for Shendam/Mikang/ Quanpaan federal constituency in Plateau State but failed. His other sibling, Suleiman had previously won in Jos North/ Bassa Federal Constituency in the same Plateau State.

Appointees

Another politician, whose influence and goodwill has worked for his progeny even in death, is the late former Governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu.

His son, Shaibu Abubakar Audu, who has been nominated as minister to represent Kogi State has been assigned the steel development ministry in the cabinet.

The late Audu was a strong political ally of President Bola Tinubu.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, son of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole as Commissioner for Health.

Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS).

Similarly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Asiya Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, daughter of the APC National chairman and former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as one of the directors in the newly established North West Development Commission (NWDC).

Asiya Ganduje was nominated to serve as the Director of Community and Rural Development, while the son of Senator Aliyu Wamakko, former Governor of Sokoto State, Muhammad Mahdi  Wamakko, was selected to lead the Planning, Research, Statistics, and Management Information System Department in the commission.

The recommendation for their appointments was made by the leadership of the National Assembly through a letter jointly signed by the Deputy President of the Senate Senator Barau I Jibrin and House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.

Barrister Ededem Anthony Ani, the son of a former Minister of Finance under the military government of late General Sani Abacha was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Governor Bassey Otu’s government.

It was believed that his nomination might be a compensation for the support the governor received from the octogenarian former minister. Ani Jr was the principal partner in a law firm before his appointment.

On his part, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno appointed his daughter, Helen Eno-Obareki, to coordinate activities of the office of the First Lady of the state following the death of his wife, Pastor Patience Eno.

The governor made the announcement o during a condolence visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and other dignitaries in Uyo.

Eno stated that his daughter would take on the duties of the First Lady, ensuring continuity of the office and the projects initiated by his late wife, particularly the Golden Initiative for All.

“To maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office. She will work closely with the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare,” the governor said.

In Oyo State, the son of the late former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Seun Ashamu, is among those appointed by Governor Seyi Makinde in his cabinet.

He is now the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources.

The late senator was a politician who served from 2015 to 2019 and represented Oyo Central Senatorial District.

Lyold, the son of a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and ex-Governor Sullivan Chime’s daughter, Ada Chukwu, made the commissioner-nominees list of the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah.

‘Trend will shrink political space’

Meanwhile, experts have warned that this trend of generational political transfer could lead to a pseudo-monarchy in democratic clothing. Professor Hassan Saliu, President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), argued that this “hereditary democracy” undermines merit and weakens citizens’ confidence in democracy.

He said the growing trend is shrinking the country’s political space and could eventually lead to a form of hereditary democracy, where political leadership is passed from parents to children.

While he acknowledged that there is no constitutional clause prohibiting the practice or those who benefit from it, he argued that the implications are deeply troubling from a moral standpoint.

“What will be the fate of the children of those who have never held political office in Nigeria? Should they be consigned to the lagoon?” he asked, warning that the situation is unhealthy for the polity and may give rise to what he called a “spoilt child syndrome.”

 “This is where children from affluent backgrounds, having found themselves in political circles, begin to act as though a different constitution applies to them,” he added.

 Professor Saliu noted that reversing the trend would require massive civic participation to prevent politics from remaining the exclusive of a privileged few.

 “Of course, Nigerians wouldn’t mind if these children genuinely offered something better. But from what we’re seeing, they often replicate the patterns of their parents. And frankly, Nigerians don’t seem too pleased with the performance of many  of  the leaders. Handing over to their children may only continue a model that has failed many,” he said.

He pointed to the track records of those who have followed in their parents’ political footsteps.

“Some of them became governors at a young age, but what legacies they have left that would inspire confidence in others?” he asked.

In his view, the democratic space should be open and inclusive, regardless of a person’s background. But given the financial muscle of children of the elite, it is becoming increasingly difficult for others to compete on a level playing field.

“And that,” he warned, “is a dangerous dimension.”

Another political scientist, Professor Gbade Ojo, shared similar concerns, noting that since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, the system has drifted away from its foundational ideals.

“One observable phenomenon is the recycling of the ruling elite. Sons and daughters of past and present power holders are now becoming senators, House of Representatives members, or National Assembly candidates—sometimes even in-laws. This isn’t democracy in the true sense; it’s starting to look like monarchy,” he said.

“As a political scientist, I fear what might happen if this bubble bursts.”

He warned that the trend could trigger a legitimacy crisis and deepen voter apathy.

“In the 2023 elections, fewer than 85 million registered as voters in a country of over 200 million. When you place that against the number of registered voters, it becomes clear that we are dealing with the tyranny of a minority,” he said.

Professor Ojo added that no meaningful development can emerge from such a system.

“Nigeria is still in the phase of democratic sustenance and far from consolidation. In democratic theory, that consolidation takes a minimum of 30 years. We must safeguard this democracy for the sake of all.”

He also pointed out that institutions like the NNPC, Central Bank, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service are increasingly becoming out of reach for ordinary Nigerians.

“We are building an elitist society—one marked by dangerous social stratification. That’s a recipe for instability and could spark political cataclysm,” he warned.

Dr Mohammed Alada, also a political scientist, added yet another layer of concern. According to him, the signs have always been there, but many Nigerians failed to interpret the political elite’s long-term intentions.

“Take the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ bill, for instance. Many youths celebrated it, but in a political environment so monetised, how many can genuinely afford to run for office?” he asked. “In the end, it becomes yet another mechanism to preserve the status quo under a different name.”

He noted that the pattern is evident in various states, including Kwara and Delta, where past and present leaders have paved the way for their children to take over.

“This trajectory may spell the death of alternative viewpoints and fresh ideas. It stifles diversity in political thought and denies the nation the opportunity to benefit from a wider pool of perspectives,” he warned.

He also feared that the entrenchment of political dynasties will inevitably lead to the permanent exclusion of many citizens.

“Some families will go to any length to preserve their dominance, which aligns perfectly with the elite theory. The implication is clear: fewer people will have access to power, and those who do will guard it jealously.”

Dr Alada added that the system, as it currently stands, is unsustainable.

“There is no inherent value in hereditary politics. Good governance can emerge from any background. But when privilege breeds recklessness, the consequences are always grave,” he said.

Reports from Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin) & Abubakar Akote (Minna)