As the 2027 general elections approach, a number of children of prominent Nigerian politicians have thrown their hats into the ring, contesting for seats in the National Assembly across various states. An infographic by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, published in September 2026, identified some of these children of prominent politicians who are vying for National Assembly seats. The list includes children of former presidents, a former vice-president, former governors, and a former Senate President.
According to the ICIR compilation, which is based on data from the Independent National Electoral Commission, at least 12 children of prominent politicians are contesting for National Assembly seats in 2027. One of them is Yusuf M. Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is contesting for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency seat in Katsina State. Another is Blessing O. Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, who is seeking to retain her seat in the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Olumide Osoba, son of former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, is also in the race, contesting for the Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. Adamu A. Atiku, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, is another child of a prominent politician who is contesting for a National Assembly seat in Adamawa State. These children of prominent politicians are seeking to occupy seats in the National Assembly, which could potentially give them considerable influence in the country's legislative affairs.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti, a former member of the House of Representatives, is currently the Senator representing Kogi Central. She is contesting for the Kogi Central senatorial seat in the 2027 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Chinedum E. Orji, son of former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, is contesting for the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is contesting for the Ogun Central senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2027 election. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, represents the Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is also involved in the 2027 race. These children of prominent politicians have potentially high profiles, which could influence the outcome of the elections.
Bello M. El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, represents the Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is among the children of prominent politicians featuring in the 2027 National Assembly contests. Adegboyega Adefarati, son of the late former Ondo State Governor Adebayo Adefarati, represents the Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is seeking another term in the 2027 election.
The emergence of these children of prominent politicians in the National Assembly race has sparked interest and debate among Nigerians. While some see it as an opportunity for young people to participate in politics, others have expressed concerns about the potential for dynastic politics and the influence of established politicians on the electoral process. The 2027 elections will be crucial in determining the future of Nigeria's politics and governance.
Key points
- Children of prominent Nigerian politicians are contesting for at least 12 National Assembly seats in 2027.
- The list of children of prominent politicians contesting for National Assembly seats includes children of former presidents, a former vice-president, former governors, and a former Senate President.
- The 2027 elections will be crucial in determining the future of Nigeria's politics and governance.
