Political Dynasty? 20 Children Of Nigeria’s Power Brokers Enter 2027 Race

At least 20 children of prominent Nigerian politicians and political figures are among those seeking elective positions in the 2027 general elections, with several targeting the National Assembly, according to a report by BBC Pidgin.

The candidates include children of former presidents, vice presidents, governors, Senate presidents and other influential political figures, with some seeking to retain seats already held by members of their families.

The BBC Pidgin report, published on September 29, 2026, said five of the 20 candidates were contesting Senate seats, while 15 were seeking election to the House of Representatives.

Some of the candidates have previously held public office, while others are seeking elective positions for the first time.

Obasanjo, Buhari, Atiku’s Children In Race

Among the prominent names is Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former senator representing Ogun Central.

She is seeking the Ogun Central Senate seat again on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is contesting for the House of Representatives seat representing Daura, Sandamu and Mai’adua Federal Constituency of Katsina State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Also in the race is Adamu Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Adamu is seeking to represent Ganye, Jada, Toungo and Mayo-Belwa Federal Constituency of Adamawa State in the House of Representatives on the APC platform.

Governors’ Children Seek Legislative Seats

Several children of former governors are also seeking elective positions.

Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, is seeking re-election to the House of Representatives.

Bello currently represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency and is seeking the seat under the African Democratic Congress.

In Jigawa State, Mustapha Sule Lamido, son of former Governor Sule Lamido, is seeking the governorship of the state on the PDP platform.

Mustapha previously contested the Jigawa Central Senate seat in 2019 and the governorship in 2023.

Other children of former governors identified by BBC Pidgin include Chinedum Orji, son of former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji; Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori; Olumide Osoba, son of former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba; Adegboyega Adefarati, son of late former Ondo State Governor Adebayo Adefarati; and Olamiju Alao-Akala, son of late former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

More Political Families In The Race

The list extends beyond former presidents and governors.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, daughter of late former House of Representatives member Jimoh Abdul Akpoti, is seeking re-election to the Senate for Kogi Central on the PDP platform.

Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, son of prominent politician Ango Abdullahi, is also seeking a second term in the House of Representatives for Sabon Gari Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

In Katsina State, Abba Dahiru Mangal, son of businessman Dahiru Barau Mangal, secured the APC ticket for Katsina Central Federal Constituency.

The report also listed Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark; Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion, daughter of businessman and politician Gabriel Igbinedion; Sani Ibrahim Tanko and Sirajo Ibrahim Tanko of Bauchi State; Asuquo Ekpenyong of Cross River State; Adamu Abubakar of Niger State; and Beni Lar, daughter of late former Plateau State Governor Solomon Lar.

Some Failed To Secure Party Tickets

Not every child of a prominent political figure who sought office secured a party ticket.

BBC Pidgin reported that Fahad Muhammad Adamu Dankabo, from the family of late businessman and Kabo Air founder Alhaji Dankabo, sought the APC ticket for Gwarzo/Kabo Federal Constituency in Kano State but did not emerge as the party’s candidate.

In Bauchi, Idris Isa Yuguda, son of former Governor Isa Yuguda, also contested the APC primary for a House of Representatives seat but finished behind the eventual winner.

Similarly, Rasheed Kashamu, son of late former Ogun State Senator Buruji Kashamu, contested the APC primary for a House of Representatives seat but failed to secure the ticket.

The growing number of candidates from established political families has renewed public discussion about the role of political families in Nigeria’s electoral politics.

While supporters of such candidates point to their constitutional right to contest elections, critics have raised questions about the concentration of political opportunities among established families.

Source: BBC Pidgin