Lauretta Onochie, the former Special Assistant on Social Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, has joined the ongoing debate regarding the eligibility of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to contest for the Lagos governorship seat.
Speculation about Seyi Tinubu’s potential candidacy has gained traction since the impeachment of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashir Obasa on Monday, January 13, 2025. Critics and political observers have alleged that Obasa’s removal was orchestrated to clear the way for Seyi’s bid to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
While many Nigerians, particularly supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress, appear open to the idea, opponents argue that it would be inappropriate for a father to lead the nation while his son governs its economic nerve centre.
Weighing in on the controversy, Onochie asserted that Seyi Tinubu, like any other Nigerian, has the legal right to pursue political office. She emphasised that Nigerian laws do not disqualify candidates based on their parental relationships with past or current officeholders.
In a tweet on Wednesday, she wrote,
“To become a Governor in Nigeria, the law does not exclude those whose parents were governors or Presidents. Let us be guided by the law when we argue about Lagos State succession. We cannot have a set of laws for Nigeria and a different set for Lagos.”
Onochie further supported her position by outlining the legal qualifications required for governorship aspirants in Nigeria. She also shared a photograph featuring prominent political figures, including Deputy Governor Babafemi Hamzat, President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, impeached Speaker Mudashir Obasa, former Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, and Seyi Tinubu. The image suggested these individuals as potential contenders for the 2027 Lagos governorship race.
Among these names, only Obasa had publicly expressed interest in contesting before his recent impeachment, which has now cast uncertainty over his political aspirations. Other individuals in the image have yet to confirm or deny their intentions regarding the governorship race.
The prospect of Seyi Tinubu running for Lagos governor remains a polarising issue. While some view his candidacy as a continuation of the Tinubu family’s political legacy, others argue it could lead to undue concentration of power. Onochie’s intervention underscores the legal framework governing Nigeria’s electoral process, urging critics to focus on qualifications rather than familial ties.