June 06, (THEWILL) – The children of some politicians, past and present, contested for elective positions at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, which took place on Thursday, May 26 through Saturday, May 28. 2022. While some clinched the party’s ticket for the 2023 general election, others did not. Shade Wesley-Metibogun has a list of the winners and losers:
Oladipo Ajomale
He has taken over the political baton of the Ajomale family from his father who was a former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State.
Oladipo’s father, Henry Ajomale, was a former Commissioner for Special Duties during the tenure of the Akinwunmi Ambode Administration. Now his son has been recruited into the political circles.
Oladipo won the APC primary for the State House of Assembly, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 11.
Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala
Olamijuwonlo is the first son of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala. He was a former chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government Area before he contested for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Otunba Alao-Akala might be dead, but his political influence has definitely robbed off positively on his son, who won the ticket for Ogbomoso North, South and Oriire Federal Constituency. Olamijuwonlo defeated his opponent, Feyintola Onabanjo at the primary.
The older Alao-Akala had to dump his ambition to contest as Governor of Oyo State under the platform of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) to form an alliance with the candidate of the APC, Adebayo Adelabu, who was also the governorship candidate of the APC in 2019. It was after that move that his son was reinstated as the chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government after his suspension because of anti-party activities in 2019.
Idris Abiola-Ajimobi
The only son of late former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi won the APC ticket to represent Ibadan South-West 11 Constituency in the state House of Assembly. He emerged as the consensus candidate for the constituency after his opponents stepped down for him. He is going to be the third generation of the Ajimobis to vie for a political office. His grandfather, Alhaji Ganiu Ajimobi, was a counselor in the old Municipal Local Government in Oyo State. His father, Abiola Ajimobi was the former Governor of Oyo State, now he is also walking in their footsteps.
Bello El-Rufai
The controversial son of the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, won the APC ticket for the House of Representatives in Kaduna North Federal Constituency. He defeated the incumbent, Samaila Suleiman, the lawmaker representing the constituency to win the ticket. Delegates who ensured Bello emerged victorious suddenly developed amnesia on the day of the primary and did not remember his infamous rape tweet in 2020. Bello had threatened to set up his friends to gang-rape a Twitter user’s mother while also insulting the Igbo ethnic group in his tweet. His insult and disrespect became a subject of discourse on social media before he eventually apologised for his outburst. He has not stopped courting controversy like a second skin.
Umar Ganduje
Son of controversial Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje emerged the party’s candidate for the House of Representative seat in Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimingado Federal constituency. His opponent, Junaidu Yakubu withdrew from the race leaving the governor’s son unopposed. Ganduje is already planting his son in the political sphere to continue his political dynasty after he must have handed over to a new administration in the state. However, many are praying that he will not follow the footsteps of his father. His father has been involved in a handful of controversies as the number one citizen of Kano State. He was allegedly caught on video receiving dollars from some suspected contractors but he denied the allegations and claimed the video was ‘cloned’.
Babajide Ibrahim Obanikoro
He is the son of Musiliu Babatunde Obanikoro, the former Minister of State for Defence. He lost his second term bid to return to the House of Representative last week. He wanted to represent Eti-Osa constituency but was rejected at the primary. Obanikoro was well tutored with numerous training on governance and leadership both in and out of the country in a bid to increase his knowledge on politics, economy and ostensibly in preparations for public service. However, his second term bid ended on a sad note after he lost to one of his opponents, Oyekanmi Elegushi, brother to Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom. Elegushi beat Obanikoro by two votes to emerge winner. While he was still reeling in his loss, his father got trounced by Idiat Adebule, a former deputy governor of Lagos State. The APC primary was indeed a double tragedy for the Obanikoros.
Olumide Osoba
The former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, must have tutored his son, Olumide, in the game of politics well enough to have twice, successfully represented Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency in Ogun State at the House of Representatives. During his previous tenure, Olumide Osoba impressed his constituents so much that it has earned him a possible third term bid.
The younger Osoba won majority of the votes in the APC House of Representatives primary to represent Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency. He had 118 votes while his challengers, Taiwo Oludotun had 40 votes and the Adegbenga Adeshina had 30 votes.
Tokunbo Abiru
The former bank chief is one of the sons of Mubasiru Akanbi Olatunji Abiru, a politician during Lateef Jakande’s Governorship tenure. Abiru who is seeking a re-election as a member of the senate representing Lagos East senatorial district won the party’s ticket at the primary unopposed. His first term tenure must have pleased the people in his constituency for him to have been given another opportunity to return to the senate.
Folajimi Mohammed
Son of the Minister of Information and Culture and former National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Layiwola Mohammed was not successful at the party primary for the Lagos State House of Assembly to represent Ikeja Constituency. Despite being a member of the house twice, it seems he didn’t satisfy the people who voted him into power that they had to unseat him the third time. Mohammed lost to Seyi Lawal who won a total of 15 votes. Lawal was a former legislative leader of the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area.
Sirajo Muhammad
He is one of the sons of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad. Sirajo won the APC National Assembly ticket for Bauchi North Senatorial District. He defeated two other opponents, including the incumbent, Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa. After his victory, there was an outcry among residents of Bauchi North Senatorial District. They claimed that Muhammad was imposed on them by the delegates who voted him to clinch the party ticket.
Sirajo Muhammad was accused of distributing about 150 cars to some people before the primary election. He also used his father’s office to give out jobs and distributed millions of naira as an empowerment scheme for some indigenes.
Ahmad Sani Yerima
He is the son of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima. He won the House of Representatives ticket of the party for Bukura/Maradun Federal Constituency. His father, the former Governor of Zamfara State is regarded as the father of politics in the state. Being the first elected governor of the state, most politicians in the state cut their political teeth under his tutelage. Many were not surprised after his son clinched the ticket as he had taught him enough to start climbing the political ladder.
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