By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has declared that residents of the state would not serve Mr Seye Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, adding that they would resist any attempt to install him as the next governor of Lagos State.
The party maintained that the governorship position is an exalted seat that must be earned and not an inheritance to be bequeathed to someone.
This statement was prompted by recent reports of endorsements of Seyi Tinubu as a potential successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027 by some groups.
One of such groups, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, had issued an endorsement on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State, suggesting that Seyi would be welcomed to run for governor in Osun or Imo states, where his either of his parents is reportedly from.
Similarly, a socio-political group, Friends of Seyi Tinubu, also endorsed him, describing the president’s son as a visionary leader with a rare combination of intellect, empathy, and strategic acumen.
However, their endorsements have drawn criticism from various stakeholders.
Reacting to the development in an interview with newsmen on Saturday, Lagos PDP spokesman, Hakeem Amode, rejected the proposition, saying, “Lagos will not serve him (Seyi Tinubu).”
He questioned whether governorship should become an inheritance, suggesting that it was inappropriate for a son to inherit such a role from his father.
“Governorship is not a gift,” he stated, stressing that if the Tinubu camp were to resort to tactics similar to those used in Ondo and Edo states in the past, it would be met with resistance.
Amode stressed that the loss of Tinubu to Peter Obi in Lagos during the 2023 presidential election showed the waning influence of the president in the state.
He stressed that the development is a foretaste of the fate that awaits his son, Seyi, should the APC attempt to field him as its governorship candidate in 2027.
Earlier, the Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths also condemned the idea of a Tinubu family member taking over the governorship, insisting that non-indigenes should not be allowed to govern Lagos State.
But the spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, dismissed the conversation about the 2027 elections as premature.
“It is too early to be discussing the 2027 elections,” he said, urging people to focus on supporting current government.
He said, “We should rally behind the governor and the president now to advance development.”
Earlier, a prominent APC chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, also weighed in on the issue, on his Facebook page.
“Who are these faceless people pushing Seyi Tinubu for Lagos Governor? This is a needless distraction. The real target is to bring down President Bola Tinubu. Ruling Lagos is not a job for amateurs,” he wrote.
