Society
Details: Behind Talks Seyi Tinubu Wants To Succeed Sanwo-Olu
on the lips of many, fueled by claims of his ambition
Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu, is trending.
The 39-year-old is on the lips of many, fueled by claims of his ambition to succeed the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Sanwo-Olu is scheduled to leave office on May 29, 2027, after serving two four-year terms.
Seyi is being touted as a possible replacement in unofficial quarters, with counter-narratives trailing the claims.
“The situation reflects the two sides of a coin regarding what this means for the President’s son. That he is mentioned as a possible next governor and it is attracting so much attention tells how much of a political factor he is considered to be. At the same time, it is a needless distraction for him because of the attendant increased scrutiny, related issues, and the unwanted speculations it is attracting for the President,” a keen observer pointed out.
Checks validate that the raging narratives and speculations about Seyi Tinubu’s ambition to become the next Governor of Lagos State are giving him nationwide visibility. This visibility is inflating his influence, presenting him as a larger-than-life figure, and entrenching his position as a strong political player.
Findings reveal a divide in public opinion. While some believe the situation works to his advantage, with groups springing up to back him despite the ruling party distancing itself from the speculations, others view it as a tactic by opponents to stoke political fatigue. They argue that it might provoke resistance to the prolonged influence of the Tinubu political dynasty in Lagos State.
Since his tenure as Governor of Lagos State from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007, Bola Tinubu has been credited with significant influence over who occupies the state’s governorship seat.
“So, some see this campaign for his son to be the next Governor as a backdoor campaign against his influence. But it is telling that Seyi has not shut down the campaigns, which are still fueling raging discussions,” sources say.
While insiders admit that the President’s son risks damaging his reputation and future prospects if public backlash against these campaigns spirals out of control, supporters insist that he stands a good chance now more than ever. They cite his youth appeal, family legacy, and the personal clout he has mustered since his father assumed office.
“And most importantly, this is a very good way to gauge public opinion and the political landscape without committing to a campaign,” a source asserted.
Seyi, the Chief Executive Officer at Loatsad Promomedia—a full-fledged out-of-home advertising company operating out of Lagos—has become a permanent fixture in national discussions. This prominence stems from his pivotal role in his father’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and eventual victory as President in the 2023 election.
He was a frontline mobilizer of youths during the June 2022 APC Congress, where his father won the party’s ticket against all odds, and in the February 25, 2023, election that made Bola Tinubu President of Nigeria.
Added investigations reveal that this is not the first time Seyi Tinubu has been linked with ambitions to become the Governor of Lagos State. The whispers started ahead of the 2019 elections and became the subject of reports before Tinubu declared his interest in the 2023 Presidential election. However, the ongoing campaign is the most pronounced of all the episodes.
Checks revealed that, contrary to claims in some quarters about governorship seats “not being for boys,” Seyi Tinubu, at 39, is already two years older than Dimeji Bankole when he was elected as Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives at 37. Moreover, he will be older than Yahaya Bello, who became Governor of Kogi State at 40, if he decides to contest for the Lagos gubernatorial seat in 2026/2027.
