A few days ago, campaigns emerged from multiple groups endorsing Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, as a candidate for the Lagos State governorship in 2027.
PulseNets learned that the movement was initiated by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL). In a statement issued in Owerri, Imo State, the coalition endorsed Seyi Tinubu, citing his philanthropic contributions as evidence of his selflessness.
“When there was flooding in Borno State, Mr Seyi and his team were there to sympathize and show support to those Nigerians whose property, homes and means of livelihood were destroyed by the flood,” the coalition said. “He gave a lot of gift items, food, home utensils, drugs and money to the affected persons during that period when the sad event took place.”
The Lagos chapter of the Middle Belt Youths also joined the call during a press conference, where Dr. Stanley Augustine Kavwam, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Middle Belt Forum, and Capt. Brent Kane, the group’s National Youth Leader, described Seyi Tinubu as the leader Lagos State needs.
In a related development, the socio-political organization Friends of Seyi Tinubu (FOST) endorsed him for the 2027 governorship race. The group, through its president, Comr. Adejorin Tai Manuel, highlighted Seyi Tinubu’s leadership qualities, philanthropic activities, and vision for progress, describing him as “a visionary leader with a rare blend of intellect, empathy, and strategic acumen.”
This wave of endorsements has drawn mixed reactions from political stakeholders and groups.
Joe Igbokwe, a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), opposed the endorsement. In a Facebook post, he described the movement as a distraction and suggested it was a ploy to undermine President Bola Tinubu.
“Who are these faceless people pushing Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor? This is a needless distraction. To pull PBAT down is their target. Ruling Lagos is not the job of boys,” Igbokwe wrote.
Similarly, the Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths (CLIY) rejected the idea, labeling it “anti-democracy.” In a statement, the group criticized what they described as the marginalization of Lagos indigenes in state leadership.
“It is no longer news that since 1999, no true blood indigene of Lagos State has taken over the mantle of leadership in the State (except one),” the group stated. “We know as a fact that there will soon be vacancy in Osun State where Mr. Seyi Tinubu can best exercise his democratic rights unhindered.”
Speaking further, they suggested that Lagos must remain under the governance of true Lagosians to combat what they called “marginalization-induced underdevelopment.”
The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also dismissed the endorsements. Hakeem Amode, the party’s spokesperson, told PulseNets, “Governorship is not a gift. Lagos will not serve him.” He emphasized that governance should not become a family inheritance.
Adding his voice, human rights activist Deji Adeyanju described the endorsements as “laughable” in a conversation with PulseNets. He questioned whether Lagos was being run as a monarchy.
“It is a laughable endorsement because they have underrated Lagos people. Is Lagos a monarchy state, where the Tinubu family is supreme? Is it that power is the birthright of the Tinubu family? It makes no sense,” Adeyanju stated.
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He argued that the absence of credible elections allowed for such narratives to thrive, further calling on Lagos political stakeholders to ensure accountability.
“Nigeria is practising federalism and not monarchy, where political powers are being inherited from the father to the son. It therefore behoves on the political actors of Lagos State to stand up and do what is right for the state,” he concluded.
