Seyi Tinubu faces backlash amidst 2027 Lagos governorship speculations

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is trending on social media as conversations about his potential governorship bid for Lagos State take a controversial turn.

Critics have labeled him a “Chinedu,” with some even calling his children “Omo Ale” (illegitimate children), sparking heated discussions online.

The backlash comes in the wake of reports suggesting that Seyi is being positioned as a successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ahead of other contenders like Femi Gbajabiamila, Obafemi Hamzat, and Tokunbo Abiru. A coalition of Nigerian youth leaders recently endorsed Seyi for the position, igniting debates about his eligibility and tribal identity.

Seyi Tinubu is married to Layal Holm, whose mother, Nkechi Holm, is of Nigerian Igbo descent from Anambra State, while her father is Lebanese. This revelation, which Seyi confirmed during the 2023 election campaigns, has fueled accusations of hypocrisy. Critics draw parallels with the treatment of Labour Party’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (GRV), who faced similar scrutiny over his Igbo heritage despite being a Lagosian by paternal lineage.

During the last gubernatorial race, GRV was labeled “Chinedu” and deemed unfit to govern Lagos, primarily due to his mother’s Igbo roots and his marriage to an Igbo woman. Obidients, GRV’s supporters, have now turned the narrative against Seyi, questioning his legitimacy to lead Lagos based on the same standards applied to GRV during the elections.

Adding to the drama, a coalition of Lagos indigenous youths has rejected the endorsement of Seyi Tinubu for governor, urging him to contest in Osun State, where his father is originally from, or in Imo State if his Igbo connections support his candidacy.

The controversy underline deep-seated ethnic and political tensions in Nigeria, as many observers question whether Lagos politics will once again be shaped by tribalism in the 2027 elections.