Political Families In Focus As Children Of Former Leaders Join 2027 NASS Race

Children of former presidents, governors, former lawmakers and other prominent political figures are featuring prominently among politicians seeking seats in the National Assembly ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, according to its current published election calendar. As political parties and aspirants intensify preparations, several members of influential political families are seeking to secure Senate and House of Representatives seats across different states.

According to Bush Radio Academy, a review of politicians linked to the 2027 National Assembly contests shows that some are already serving in the legislature and seeking fresh terms, while others are attempting to enter the National Assembly for the first time.

Among those identified is Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, daughter of the late former House of Representatives member Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. She currently represents Kogi Central in the Senate and is seeking another term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s daughter, Iyabo Obasanjo, is also linked to the 2027 election, with reports identifying her as an aspirant for the Ogun Central senatorial seat on the PDP platform.

Yusuf Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is seeking election to the House of Representatives for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’Adua Federal Constituency in Katsina State. He declared his intention to contest the seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, and later won the party’s primary for the constituency.

Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, is another member of a prominent political family featuring in the 2027 National Assembly contest. He currently represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

In Abia State, Chinedum Orji, son of former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, is seeking the House of Representatives seat for the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency.

Adamu Atiku, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has also been linked to the 2027 National Assembly race in Adamawa State, with reports associating him with the Adamawa South senatorial contest.

In Benue State, Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, currently represents the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is seeking another term.

Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, is also seeking another term in the House of Representatives. She represents the Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency in Delta State.

In Edo State, Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion, daughter of businessman and politician Gabriel Igbinedion, is associated with the Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West Federal Constituency and has been identified as a candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

Olumide Osoba, son of former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, is another member of a prominent political family in the House of Representatives. He represents the Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency and is seeking another term.

In Ondo State, Adegboyega Adefarati, son of the late former Governor Adebayo Adefarati, represents the Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is seeking re-election.

Olamiju Alao-Akala, son of the late former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, has also been linked to the race for the Orire/Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South Federal Constituency seat in Oyo State.

The growing presence of children of former presidents, governors, lawmakers and other prominent political figures has added another dimension to the preparations for the 2027 National Assembly elections, as political parties continue to position candidates across the country.