As the 2027 general elections approach, children of prominent Nigerian politicians are featuring in races for seats in the National Assembly. An infographic published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in September 2026 identified some children of prominent politicians among those contesting or seeking National Assembly seats across different states. The report was based on data from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The ICIR compilation includes children of former presidents, a former vice-president, former governors, and a former Senate President. A total of 12 individuals were identified, including Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti, who is the incumbent Senator representing Kogi Central. She is contesting the Kogi Central senatorial seat in the 2027 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is contesting the Ogun Central senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2027 election. Yusuf M. Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is linked to the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency race in Katsina State. Bello M. El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, represents the Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Other children of prominent politicians featuring in the 2027 National Assembly contests include Chinedum E. Orji, son of former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, who is contesting the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. Adamu A. Atiku, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, is among those linked to the 2027 National Assembly race in Adamawa State.
Blessing O. Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, represents the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is seeking to retain the seat 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 involved in the 2027 race.
The list also includes Gabriella (Omosede) Igbinedion, daughter of prominent businessman and politician Gabriel Igbinedion, who has emerged as a candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives race in Edo State. Olumide Osoba, son of former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, represents the Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is among the children of prominent political figures seeking National Assembly seats in 2027.
Adegboyega Adefarati, son of the late former Ondo State Governor Adebayo Adefarati, and Olamiju Alao-Akala, son of the late former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, are also contesting for seats in the 2027 National Assembly. Their participation, along with others, highlights the involvement of children of prominent politicians in Nigeria's electoral process.
Key points
- Children of former presidents, vice-president, governors, and a former Senate President are vying for National Assembly seats.
- A total of 12 individuals have been identified as children of prominent politicians contesting in the 2027 elections.
- The list includes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Iyabo Obasanjo, and Yusuf M. Buhari, among others.
