The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed strong opposition to the idea of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, succeeding Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the 2027 gubernatorial election.
This comes in the wake of recent endorsements from various groups supporting Seyi Tinubu’s potential candidacy.
Endorsements Spark Debate
Groups such as the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders and Friends of Seyi Tinubu have lauded the president’s son as a capable leader, urging him to consider running for governor. During a meeting in Owerri, Imo State, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders endorsed him, even suggesting he could govern Osun or Imo states, where his family reportedly has roots.
Similarly, Friends of Seyi Tinubu praised him as a visionary with a blend of intellect, empathy, and strategic insight.
However, these endorsements have not gone unchallenged.
Lagos PDP Rejects the Idea
In a statement issued on Saturday, Lagos PDP spokesperson Hakeem Amode dismissed the notion of Seyi Tinubu as a viable candidate for Lagos.
“Lagos will not serve him,” Amode declared, rejecting any attempt to position the presidency’s son for the state’s top job. He criticized the idea of governorship becoming an inheritance, describing it as inappropriate and undemocratic.
“Governorship is not a gift,” he asserted, warning against the use of tactics seen in other states to push familial successions. Amode further pointed to the results of the last presidential election in Lagos, noting that many residents did not vote for Bola Tinubu, which he believes signals a lack of support for his son’s potential governorship bid.
Calls for Indigenous Representation
The Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths has also voiced opposition, arguing that non-indigenes should not govern Lagos State. The group insisted on preserving the leadership of Lagos for those with direct ties to its indigenes.
APC Dismisses 2027 Election Talk
Seye Oladejo, the spokesperson for the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC), described discussions about the 2027 elections as premature.
“It is too early to be discussing the 2027 elections,” Oladejo said, urging citizens to concentrate on supporting the current administration under Governor Sanwo-Olu and President Bola Tinubu.
APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe also criticized the notion of Seyi Tinubu’s candidacy in a Facebook post. “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,” Igbokwe wrote.
Political Tensions Rise
The debate over Seyi Tinubu’s potential governorship bid highlights the tensions surrounding leadership succession in Lagos. As political stakeholders weigh in, the question of who should lead the state in 2027 is already stirring controversy.
