There are indications that top politicians across the country are currently using their political influence to secure elective positions and appointments for their children as a way of creating political dynasties and perpetuating themselves in office.

As at the last count, over 20 of such scions are either serving in the House of Representatives or the State Houses of Assembly. The rest have obtained Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest in the 2027 elections.

For instance, late President Muhammadu Buhari’s son, Yusuf, is the consensus candidate for Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency in Katsina State, while Nyesom Wike, a two-term governor in Rivers State, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has positioned his 24-year-old son, Jordan, to pick House of Representatives form on the platform of the APC.

Similarly, in Ogun State, Olumide Osoba, a son of Chief Olusegun Osoba, former governor of the state is seeking third term to represent Obafemi Owode/ Odeda Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives.

Also, in Oyo State, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, a son of former governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, is the current representative for Ogbomoso North/ South/Orire Federal Constituency since June 2023.

He is seeking reelection as a member of the National Assembly. Chisom Godswill Anyim, son of Pius Anyim, former President of the Senate has become the consensus candidate for the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

Mrs. Ibori-Suenu, daughter of James Ibori, former governor of Delta State was elected as a National Assembly member in the state on the platform of the PDP. She is seeking reelection on the platform of the APC, having defected from the opposition party.

In Ondo State, a son of Chief Adebayo Adefarati, pioneer governor of the state in the present democratic dispensation, Adegboyega, was elected in 2023 as a member of the House of Representatives for the people of Akoko Southwest/Southeast federal constituency.

Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s son, Bello Mohammed ElRufai, is serving as the representative for Kaduna North Federal Constituency, while Prof Jerry Gana has ensured that his son, Joshua is the present representative for Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency of Niger State.

Similarly, Alhaji Sule Lamido has ensured that his son, Mustapha, is rising politically in Jigawa State. He was a gubernatorial candidate and currently a PDP chieftain. In the same token, some have secured political appointments for their children.

A son of former Labour leader, and Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole became the Commissioner for Health in the state since late 2024. This is just as a son of Abiola Ajimobi, a former governor of Oyo State, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi is a Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Livestock Development.

The wife of the late governor was appointed as ambassador by the President. Similarly, children of Late Chief Adekunle Ajasin, the governor of the old Ondo State comprising the present Ekiti State, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose and Tokunbo, have secured federal appointments at one time or another with the status of the late Afenifere leader.

Mrs Anifowose was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice during the administration of Governor Adefarati. Ogunwumiju Moyinolorun is the son of a Supreme Court judge, Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju. He was elected as a member of the House of Assembly representing Ondo West Constituency 1. He is a consensus candidate for the constituency in the 2027 elections.

In the neighbouring Ekiti State, Muyiwa Olumilua, a son of a former Governor of old Ondo State, Chief Bamidele Olumilua, has served as a commissioner in Ekiti State. Children of former top politicians are also serving in one capacity or another in the government of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of the state.

These appointees are political heirs of their parents. Although his father, Adeyinka Adebayo was a military governor of the old Western Region between 1966 and 1971, his son, Adeniyi Adebayo, was the first civilian governor of Ekiti State. He ruled between 1999 and 2003. He also served as a minister. He has remained politically relevant in the state.

Adeniyi is the political heir to his late father, who ruled the entire South-West geo-political zone during the military. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s son, Ibrahim Babajide, was a local government chairman.

He is also active in the state chapter of the ruling APC. Also, Pam, son of Jonah Jang, is a political actor and former House of Representatives candidate in Plateau State. His father was a member of the Senate between 2015 and 2019.

He is replacing his 84-year-old father in the political firmament. Although his father was not a politician, the son of a jurist, late Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Sani Ibrahim, is a member of the National Assembly representing Shira/Giade Federal Constituency. His father’s influence is helping the son in his political journey.