Have you noticed a new development in Nigeria’s politics lately? What we now see is how old politicians are now putting forward their sons and daughters to come into politics. This new act is fast spreading across the country from the Southern part to the Northern part. This political inheritance has become a prominent feature in Nigeria, with many children of former and incumbent politicians smoothly transitioning into legislative, executive, and cabinet roles. Rather than achieving these positions purely on merit, these legacy politicians benefit from family name recognition, extensive political networks, and deep financial backing from their parents’ empires. For a closer look at the specific families dominating the national and state political landscapes, the following are some of the most notable children of politicians holding or vying for prominent elective and appointive positions.
This week we shall be highlighting top politician’s children who are now making big moves in politics.
Bello El-Rufai: Son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. He currently serves as the lawmaker representing the Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. May 2026, he formally defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu: Daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori. She represents the Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Blessing Onuh: Daughter of former Senate President David Mark. She serves in the House of Representatives, representing the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency. Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro: Son of former Minister and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. He previously served in the House of Representatives representing the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency. Hon. Obanikoro has secured another return ticket to the House of Reps through the party primary election held a few weeks back in Lagos
Marilyn Okowa-Daramola: Daughter of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
She is a Legislator, youth advocate and girls empowerment trailblazer. She was elected into the Delta State House of Assembly in March 2023, to represent Ika North-East State Constituency and currently serves as the Chair of the Finance and Appropriation Committee; Deputy Chair, Housing, Women Affairs, Girl Child and Humanitarian Support Services amongst others.
Idris Abiola-Ajimobi: Son of the late former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He secured tickets to contest for the Ibadan South-West II State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly. He serves as the Senior Special Assistant on Livestock Development to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Cyril Adams Oshiomhole: Son of former Edo State Governor/Senator Adams Oshiomhole. He was appointed to a commissionership role in the Edo State cabinet.
Joacquin Wike: Eldest son of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. Having been called to the Nigerian Bar, he has become visibly involved in Rivers State political gatherings and is heavily positioned to contest for a House of Representatives seat in the Obia-Akpo constituency.
Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa is the son of the current Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa. His son, Abdul Ganiyu is the Chairman of Agege Local Government Area in Lagos State, Nigeria. He assumed the position after his predecessor resigned due to health challenges. This family has become a big name in Lagos politics today.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s son, Abba Atiku, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections. His recent decision has sparked a discourse in the political space as he ignored the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party his father is a member of and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Adamu Atiku is the eldest son and former Adamawa State Commissioner for Works and Energy Development. He too has also resigned from his commissioner role to pursue the Adamawa South Senatorial District seat under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo Obasanjo, recently became a registered member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State. This move comes after her last active participation in politics 15 years ago.
Olumide Osoba is the son of the popular Segun Osoba. He is the current representative for Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/ Odeda Federal Constitunecy in Ogun State. Sani Tanko is a Nigerian politician at the House of Representatives level. Sani Tanko currently serves as the Federal Representative representing Shira/Giade constituency in the 10th National Assembly.
Sani Tanko is the Vice Chairman: Public Procurement.
His father was Muhammad Ibrahim Tanko, the highly respected Nigerian jurist who served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) from 2019 to 2022.
Mustapha Sule Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, has officially emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Jigawa State for the 2027 general elections. He secured the party’s ticket as the unopposed consensus candidate following a peaceful primary.
Boluwatife Fayose: former governor’s son officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in September 2025. He emerged as the APC consensus flagbearer for the Ekiti State House of Assembly in the Irepodun/Ifelodun State Constituency II. He publicly stated that his decision to join the APC was driven by his admiration for the incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji, rather than his father’s influence.
Joju Fayose: Ayodele Fayose’s first son is affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He made a major political entry by securing the PDP ticket for the Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I in the House of Representatives leading up to the 2023 elections. Presently he has also been working to claim a political seat under the current Ekiti governor Oyebamji.
Adamu Abubakar, the son younger brother to former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, recently emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Chanchaga Federal Constituency in Niger State. He clinched the party’s House of Representatives ticket for the upcoming elections.
He secured the APC House of Representatives ticket by winning a landslide victory in the party’s primary election in Chanchaga, Niger State.
Olamijuwonlo Akala, son of the late Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Governor of Oyo, has won the Ogbomoso Federal Constituency election in the House of Representatives.
Hon Seyi Jakande is another name. He is one of the prominent sons of the late former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande to be active in politics. He serves as the Chairman-elect of the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State. Another son, Deji Jakande, previously served as a member of the Federal House of Representatives.
Also Deji Jakande, an elder brother, was active in earlier political dispensations. He contested for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly to represent the Somolu Constituency 1 under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the early 2010s and also served as a member of the Federal House of Representatives.
Several children of the late Nigerian democracy icon, Chief MKO Abiola, have been actively involved in Nigerian politics, holding various appointments and running for public office.
Rinsola Abiola: A prominent youth and gender advocate, she serves as the Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Kola Abiola: The eldest son of MKO Abiola, he was the 2023 presidential candidate for the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).
Hon. Omolola Abiola-Edewor: The eldest daughter of the family, she served two terms in the Nigerian House of Representatives representing the Apapa Federal Constituency (1999–2007) and later served two terms as the Executive Director of Corporate Services at the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
Hafsat Abiola-Costello: A human rights activist, she served as a Special Adviser in the Ogun State Government (2011–2019) covering the Millennium Development Goals and Trade/Investment. She is the President of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), which empowers women in politics and civil leadership.
Yusuf Buhari, the only male child of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is making his entry into politics. He won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’adua Federal Constituency of Katsina State in the 2027 general elections.
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s eldest son in politics is Abdulaziz Umar Ganduje, who recently made headlines by dumping the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He is running for the House of Representatives seat to represent the Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado Federal Constituency in Kano State.
Although Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, holds no political office, his impact on Nigerian politics cannot be overlooked, as his influence among top politicians is noticeable. While he does not currently hold an elective office, he serves as a highly influential, behind-the-scene political figure and confidant within the presidency.
Isaac abimbade
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