A controversy has emerged surrounding the potential governorship ambitions of Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This gained traction following the impeachment of Mudashir Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, an event some critics claim is tied to paving the way for Seyi Tinubu’s political ascent.
Lauretta Onochie, a former Special Assistant on Social Media to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has stepped into the conversation, offering her legal perspective on the matter. She asserts that Seyi Tinubu, like any other Nigerian, has the right to pursue political aspirations, as stipulated by the country’s laws.
In a tweet on Wednesday, Onochie stressed the importance of adhering to Nigeria’s legal framework when discussing political succession in Lagos.
“To become a Governor in Nigeria, the law does not exclude those whose parents were governors or Presidents. Let us be guided by the law when we argue about Lagos State succession. We cannot have a set of laws for Nigeria and a different set for Lagos,” she wrote.
Her statement comes amidst divided opinions among Nigerians. While many supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have shown openness to Seyi Tinubu’s alleged governorship bid, others argue against the notion of consolidating power within one family, especially given Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s economic hub.
Onochie further elaborated on the legal requirements for governorship aspirants, underscoring that Nigerian laws do not discriminate based on familial ties. To bolster her argument, she shared a photo featuring notable figures such as Deputy Governor Babafemi Hamzat, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, impeached Speaker Mudashir Obasa, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, and Seyi Tinubu as potential contenders for the Lagos 2027 governorship race.
