Atiku vs Atiku: Nigerian Politicians Whose Children Took Opposing Political Paths
The recent political realignment involving Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has again drawn attention to the long-standing reality that political loyalty within Nigeria’s most prominent families is often far from uniform. The development comes amid broader conversations around elite political divisions, party defections, and coalition-building ahead of future elections.
PulseNets learnt that Abba Atiku Abubakar, until recently a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where he has pledged allegiance to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This move stands in sharp contrast to the political posture of his father, who is currently a leading figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC)–led opposition coalition seeking to unseat the APC-led government.
Although the Abubakar defection has attracted significant public interest, it is not without precedent. Across Nigeria’s political history, several high-profile families have witnessed similar ideological splits, with fathers and children aligning with rival parties, sometimes in direct electoral contests against one another.
Alvan Ikoku vs Samuel Goomsu Ikoku
Historical records obtained by PulseNets show that one of the earliest and most striking examples occurred during the First Republic. In 1957, Samuel Goomsu Ikoku, a radical socialist politician contesting on the platform of the Action Group, ran for a seat in the Eastern House of Assembly against his father, Alvan Ikoku, a revered nationalist whose likeness later appeared on the Nigerian ₦10 note.
The elder Ikoku belonged to the United National Independence Party, but was defeated by his son at the polls. Political historians regard the contest as one of the earliest clear cases of father and son belonging to opposing political camps in Nigeria.
Olusola Saraki vs Bukola Saraki
At the return to democratic governance, internal family divisions again played out publicly in Kwara State. During the political battle that preceded the 2011 governorship election, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and his father, the late Olusola Saraki, parted ways after decades of political collaboration.
PulseNets reported that while Bukola Saraki retained control of the PDP structure in the state and backed Abdulfatah Ahmed as the party’s governorship candidate, his father defected to the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) to support his daughter, Gbemisola Saraki. The younger Saraki’s camp eventually prevailed at the polls.
Nasir El-Rufai vs Bello El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, later exited the party after his ministerial nomination was rejected by the Senate. He subsequently aligned with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before joining the ADC coalition alongside other dissatisfied political actors, including allies drawn from across opposition platforms.
However, PulseNets learnt that his eldest son, Bello El-Rufai, has remained firmly within the APC. Bello currently serves as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency on the platform of the ruling party.
David Mark vs Blessing Onyeche Onuh
A similar divide exists within the family of former Senate President David Mark. Once a dominant force within the PDP, Mark is now a central figure in the ADC-led coalition working against the APC.
PulseNets spoke to party sources who confirmed that his daughter, Blessing Onyeche Onuh, is an APC member and currently represents the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, placing her in direct partisan opposition to her father’s current political alignment.
James Ibori vs Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu
Former Delta State Governor James Ibori, a founding member of the PDP, also has a child in a rival party. His daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, is a serving lawmaker in the House of Representatives under the APC platform.
PulseNets reported that Ibori-Suenu was previously affiliated with the PDP before crossing over to the ruling party, further underlining the trend of intergenerational political divergence.
Olusegun Obasanjo vs Juwon Obasanjo
The 2019 general election provided another notable example. While former President Olusegun Obasanjo publicly endorsed the PDP presidential candidate, his son, Juwon Obasanjo, openly supported the re-election bid of former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
PulseNets learnt that Juwon Obasanjo played an active role within the Buhari Campaign Organisation and served as National Coordinator of the Buhari Youth Organisation, effectively working against his father’s preferred candidate.
Doyin Okupe vs Ditan Okupe
That same election cycle also exposed divisions within the Okupe family. Doyin Okupe, a long-time PDP chieftain and former spokesperson to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, backed the PDP in 2019.
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However, PulseNets obtained by political insiders revealed that his son, Ditan Okupe, aligned with the APC and supported President Buhari’s second-term bid, placing both men on opposite sides of the political divide.
