The speculation around Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, potentially succeeding Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Lagos State governor in 2027 has sparked significant political debate. While some groups have endorsed the idea, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly opposed the notion, emphasizing that Lagos will not “serve father and son.”

Several groups, including the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders and the Lagos branch of the Middle Belt Youths, have endorsed Seyi Tinubu as a prospective candidate. They praised his leadership qualities and potential to continue the development agenda associated with his father and current Governor Sanwo-Olu.

However, these endorsements have been met with resistance:

• PDP Response: Hakeem Amode, Lagos PDP spokesperson, rejected the idea, asserting that governorship “is not a gift” and should not be treated as an inheritance. He expressed confidence that Lagosians would resist any attempt to impose Seyi Tinubu as governor, pointing to the lack of widespread support for President Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

• Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths: This group opposed the idea of a non-indigene or a member of the Tinubu family leading Lagos, citing concerns about fairness and representation.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has attempted to downplay the discussions:

 

• Seye Oladejo, APC Lagos spokesperson, dismissed the talk of 2027 elections as premature, urging the public to focus on supporting the current administration.

• Joe Igbokwe, an APC chieftain, criticized the endorsements as a distraction, asserting that governing Lagos is “not a job for amateurs.

The controversy highlights deep political divisions in Lagos, with many seeing this as an attempt to consolidate power within the Tinubu family. The opposition’s strong stance indicates that such a candidacy, if pursued, would likely face significant resistance.

For now, the APC is focused on deflecting attention from the issue, while the PDP and other stakeholders are gearing up to challenge any move that might appear as dynastic succession in Lagos politics.