The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has declared that any attempts to impose Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as the next governor of Lagos State will be resisted by citizens.
This statement comes in response to recent endorsements of Seyi Tinubu as a potential successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the 2027 elections by various groups.
One of these groups, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, issued an endorsement on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State, suggesting that Seyi Tinubu could contest for governorship in either Osun or Imo states, where his family is reportedly from. Similarly, the socio-political group Friends of Seyi Tinubu described him as a visionary leader with an exceptional blend of intellect, empathy, and strategic thinking.
These endorsements, however, have sparked criticism from multiple quarters.
In an interview with The PUNCH, the Lagos PDP spokesperson, Hakeem Amode, rejected the idea outright, stating, “Lagos will not serve him.”
Amode questioned the notion of governorship as an inheritance, calling it inappropriate for Seyi Tinubu to be considered for such a role based solely on family ties.
“Governorship is not a gift,” he stated, adding that any attempt by the Tinubu camp to employ tactics similar to those reportedly used in Ondo and Edo states in the past would face strong resistance.
He further noted that many Lagosians had not voted for Bola Tinubu in the last presidential election, arguing that this sentiment indicated they would also oppose his son’s candidacy for governor.
The Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths also criticized the idea of a Tinubu family member taking over the governorship, insisting that non-indigenes should not be allowed to govern Lagos State.
In contrast, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress dismissed the debate as premature. The APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, urged focus on the present government, stating, “It is too early to be discussing the 2027 elections. We should rally behind the governor and the president now to advance development.”
Earlier, prominent APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe had also weighed in on the controversy via his Facebook page, condemning the endorsements as a distraction.
“Who are these faceless people pushing Seyi Tinubu for Lagos Governor? This is a needless distraction. The real target is to bring down President Bola Tinubu. Ruling Lagos is not a job for amateurs,” he wrote.
The debate over Seyi Tinubu’s potential candidacy has ignited a broader conversation about governance, political inheritance, and the expectations of Lagos residents.