Nigeria’s growing number of political dynasties

 

Wikipedia says “A political family (also referred to as a political dynasty) is a family in which multiple members are involved in politics, particularly electoral politics. Members may be related by blood or marriage; often several generations or multiple siblings may be involved. Last Monday, May 25, 2026, I was on Real 99.3 FM, Abuja to discuss this phenomenon on the radio station’s breakfast show. The conversation examined the growing trend of political succession within influential Nigerian families, its implications for democracy, meritocracy, youth participation, and the future of leadership in the country.

Like I said on the programme, building of political dynasties is a global practice that is now spreading in Nigeria.  For instance, in India, three members of the Nehru–Gandhi family (Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi) have served as Prime Minister of India. Rajiv's wife Sonia Gandhi and son, Rahul Gandhi, served as the President of the Indian National Congress, and daughter, Priyanka Gandhi, served as a Member of Parliament.

In Nepal, there is the Rana dynasty in which eleven members of the family have become Prime Minister.  Jung Bahadur Rana (1846–1856; 1857–1877), Bam Bahadur Kunwar Rana (1856–1857), Krishna Bahadur Kunwar Rana (1857–1857), Ranodip Singh Kunwar Rana (1877–1885), Bir Shumsher J.B.R. (1885–1901), Dev Shumsher J.B.R. (1901–1901), Chandra Shumsher J.B.R. (1901–1929), Bhim Shumsher J.B.R. (1929–1932), Juddha Shumsher J.B.R. (1932–1945), Padma Shumsher J.B.R. (1945–1948), and Mohan Shumsher J.B.R. (1948–1951) have served as the hereditary Prime Ministers of Nepal.

In United Kingdom, the Pitt family is one of the most famous political dynasties in British history, primarily renowned for producing two Prime Ministers during the Georgian era: William Pitt the Elder (1st Earl of Chatham) and his son William Pitt the Younger.  In United States of America, there are several political dynasties. For example, the Adams family.  John Adams, second U.S. president (1797–1801) and his son, John Quincy Adams, sixth U.S. president (1825–1829). The Roosevelt family: 26th U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909) and 32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945). The Bush family: Prescott Bush, U.S. Senator from Connecticut (1952–63); his son, George H. W. Bush, 41st U.S. president (1989–93). George H.W.'s sons, George W. Bush, 43rd U.S. president (2001–09) and Jeb Bush, governor of Florida (1995–2007).

Over time, Nigeria too have had an evolving culture of building political dynasties. For instance, there is the Adeleke political dynasty in Ede, Osun State. A family that has produced three senators and two governors. Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke was a Second Republic senator. Two of his children have later been elected senators and governor. Isiaka Adeleke was the first elected Executive Governor of Osun State in the aborted Third Republic. He later became a senator in this Fourth Republic while his younger brother, Ademola Adeleke was elected senator after the death of Isiaka and is now the incumbent governor of Osun State. Similarly, there is the Saraki political dynasty in Ilorin, Kwara State. Oloye Olusola Saraki was the Senate Leader in the Second Republic. His son, Bukola Saraki has been a two-time governor of Kwara State and later President of the Senate. His younger sister, Gbemisola Saraki has been elected House of Reps member then a senator and later served as Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development.

There is also the Obafemi Awolowo dynasty. The sage as he was called was the first Premier of Western Region and later appointed Minister of Finance. His son, Oluwole Awolowo was elected Coucillor and later Member of Lagos State House of Assembly (1979 – 1983) where he represented Apapa Constituency in the Second Republic. Olusegun Obasanjo is at present the longest serving Head of State cum President. Head of State for three years (1976 – 1979) and two term elected president (1999 – 2007). His daughter Iyabo Obasanjo was Commissioner for Health in Ogun State from 2003 to 2007 and an elected Senator from 2007 – 2011.

Former Ogun State governor, Akinrogun Segun Osoba has his son, Olumide in House of Representatives representing Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode federal constituency of Ogun State in the 10th Assembly. Beni, a lawyer, is the eldest daughter of a former Governor of Plateau State, the late Solomon Lar. She is representing Langtang North/South federal constituency in Plateau State for a fifth term in the House of Representatives. Olamiju Alao-Akala, son of a former governor of Oyo State, the late Adebayo Alao-Akala, is at present representing Ogbomoso-North/Ogbomoso-South/Orire federal constituency at the House of Representatives.

Joshua, the son of Prof Jerry Gana, Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and founding National Secretary of the PDP is representing Lavun/Mokwa/Edati federal constituency in Niger State at the House of Representatives. Blessing Onuh is representing Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency of Benue State at the House of Representatives. She is the daughter of a former President of the Senate, David Mark. Remember that Mark represented Benue South Senatorial District from 1999 to 2019, during which he was Senate President for eight years (2007 to 2015) – the longest by any senator till date. A retired Brigadier General, Mark was military Governor of Niger State (1984 to 1986) and later Minister of Communications under the military regime. He is at present the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress.

Erhriatake Ibori-Suenu is the daughter of former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.  She is in the 10^th House of Rep for the Ethiope federal constituency in Delta State. Bello, one of the sons of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, is in the 10th Assembly representing Kaduna North federal constituency. Khadijah Abba-Ibrahim is the wife of Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, former Yobe State governor.  Khadijah represents Damaturu/Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuwa federal constituency in Yobe State at the House for two terms (2007 to 2015) before becoming the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs between 2016 and 2019. She returned to the House for a third term and is now the chairman, House Committee on North East Development Commission.

Regina, wife of a former Governor of Benue State and now Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume is representing Tarka/Gboko federal constituency at the House of Representatives. It is noteworthy that President Bola Tinubu is already building a political dynasty with his wife Oluremi. Senator Remi Tinubu was a three-term senator serving from 2011 – 2023. She was former First Lady of Lagos State from 1999 – 2007and is at present the First Lady of Nigeria. Yusuf, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari just won the House of Rep ticket under the ruling APC for the 2027 General Elections.

Is there anything wrong with building political dynasty? Not that I know of. Legally, it is permissible. Where there is issue is if the son, daughter or spouse is given undue advantage in a political contest. Children who ride on their parents political and social capital to electoral victory could only do that because of the positive impact their parents made while in public office. As I explained on Real 99.3 FM last Monday, any unpopular politician who wants to support his or her family member, be it children or spouse to elective office will meet a Waterloo, a crushing defeat at the poll. The advantage with building political dynasty is the mentorship and institutional memory it offers as such proteges should be able to learn from their parents or spouses.

I.G: @jideojong