Seyi Tinubu and the politics of unwarranted criticism, by Kayode Adebiyi

I laugh whenever some people criticize and attack the innocent young man, Seyi Tinubu, the son of PBAT, especially for his high visibility within the political space.

Yes, I criticized him when TV cameras kept capturing him loitering around the Federal Executive Council (FEC) chamber during meetings. It was bad optics because he is not a member of the FEC, and his continued presence there was inappropriate. I was glad when his father publicly called him out and told him to leave the FEC chamber and not be found there again.

The young man took it in good faith, obeyed his father, and stayed away from the FEC chamber. However, you will always see videos or photos of him at various social gatherings across the country, especially on social media. He rarely speaks and mostly minds his business. In fact, I wouldn’t even recognize his voice unless it was accompanied by a video of him.

Now, he has started traveling around the country, paying social visits to notable elders and political leaders while also engaging in charitable ventures. Some people have written scathing remarks about him, criticizing the way he moves around with security personnel during his numerous trips. I get it—some people dislike this and see it as the usual “children of politicians wasting money and doing as they please.”

The fact is, even if his father were not the president, Seyi would still be who he is—the son of Bola Tinubu—living in luxury as the child of a highly successful man and a businessman in his own right. I sat down and asked myself: Why do we often resent the children of affluent and powerful politicians simply for carrying on with their lives? Why do we condemn them, sometimes unjustifiably?

By protocol, the moment a man becomes president, even his household pets must be protected by the national security agency. In fact, every member of a president’s family has a designated code name and receives first-line security protection.

You may not like it, but that’s the reality. Obasanjo’s children enjoyed it. Yar’Adua’s children enjoyed it. Jonathan’s children enjoyed it. Buhari’s children also enjoyed it. And so will every child of Tinubu, protected by the DSS.

Yes, you might argue that the children of other presidents were not as visible. That’s fine. For instance, Buhari’s bike-riding son is a recluse—you never see him. But Seyi doesn’t have to be like the children of past presidents. He actively immersed himself in his father’s campaign from 2022 until the election was won.

Now, he has started moving around again in preparation for 2027. And honestly, what father wouldn’t be happy to see his son actively participating in something important to him? Why is it a crime for Seyi to help his father campaign and be visible? Most fathers who are top businessmen pray, wish, and groom their sons to take over from them or support their ventures.

Iyabo Obasanjo was Commissioner for Health in Ogun State during her father’s first term as president. She later became a senator representing Ogun state. Father was president, and daughter later was a senator—yet nobody cursed Obasanjo or questioned him. Seyi isn’t even holding any elective or appointed political position; he’s simply helping his father campaign. So why the continued attacks on him?

For me, any father should be proud of what he’s doing. In fact, I would be very proud if I were president and my son was deeply involved and actively participating in my campaign. And what if he’s also interested in politics? Would he be the first child of a politician to follow in his father’s footsteps?

I just cited the example of Iyabo Obasanjo. Mrs. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu once contested for the governorship of Lagos State. The son of the late Lam Adesina, former governor of Oyo State, was a member of the House of Representatives. My old classmate, Deji Jakande, followed in the footsteps of his father, the late Lateef Jakande, and also became a member of the House of Representatives.

Two of Sule Lamido’s sons are in politics—one even contested for the governorship of Jigawa State, just like their father. The son of former VP Atiku is currently a commissioner in the Adamawa State cabinet. The son of the late Governor Ajimobi of Oyo State contested in the 2023 election to represent his constituency as a legislator. Former Governor Ayo Fayose’s son also contested for the House of Representatives in the 2023 election.

Now, let’s talk about “saner climes,” because some people love to reference them as if things are different there when it comes to politics.

George H.W. Bush was member of the House of Representatives, later vice president under Reagan, and ultimately president. His son, George W. Bush, was governor of Texas before becoming president, while his younger brother, Jeb Bush, was governor of Florida and even contested for the presidency under the Republican Party.

The Kennedy family is a political dynasty. While JFK was president, his younger brother served as Attorney General. Another brother was a senator for many years before he passed away. Under President Trump, another Kennedy served in the cabinet as Health Secretary. Bill Clinton was president, then his wife became a senator, later Secretary of State, and even ran against Trump as a presidential candidate.

So, leave Seyi Tinubu alone! The guy is not in government—he’s just protecting his father’s interests. If you don’t want a child like Seyi who actively participates in what matters most to you, that’s your cup of tea. Stop the unnecessary criticism and etanu, joor!

–Adebiyi, a PR Executive wrote from London