- Speculation about Seyi Tinubu’s bid for Lagos governorship intensifies, with a focus on his wife Layal Holm’s Igbo background
- Tinubu’s critics argue his marriage to an Igbo woman undermines his potential to represent Yoruba interests in Lagos
- His critics also pointed to a similar antagonism that 2023 Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour faced because of his Igbo ancestry
Seyi Tinubu, the son of Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is facing intense online scrutiny amid rising speculation about his potential bid for the governorship of Lagos State.
The controversy has been further fueled by discussions surrounding the ethnicity of his wife, Layal Holm, and her ties to the Igbo community.
Tinubu, long speculated as a possible successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently gained attention after a coalition of Nigerian youth leaders endorsed him as the next governor of Lagos.
However, the endorsement has been met with significant backlash, particularly due to his wife’s background. Holm, a Lebanese woman, has Nigerian roots through her mother, Nkechi Holm, who is from Anambra State.
This connection to the Igbo ethnic group has ignited heated debates within political circles, particularly among those who believe that a Yoruba individual should govern a Yoruba-dominated state like Lagos.
Critics have voiced concerns that Seyi Tinubu, despite his strong political lineage as a member of the influential Tinubu family, may not represent the true interests of the Yoruba people due to his marriage to an Igbo woman.
Some opponents have even taken to referring to Tinubu and his children using derogatory terms, invoking ethnic slurs reminiscent of those used during the 2023 governorship race in Lagos.
During that race, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, candidate of the Labour Party, faced similar ethnic-based criticisms for his Igbo heritage, including his mother's roots in Abia State and his marriage to an Igbo woman.
The word Chinedu, a common Igbo name, was used as a pejorative against him, signalling the deep ethnic divisions in Nigerian politics.
The controversy surrounding Seyi Tinubu has followed a similar pattern, with some of his critics labelling him with the same derogatory terms. Supporters of the opposition, particularly the OBIdient movement, have drawn parallels between Tinubu and Rhodes-Vivour, arguing that if the latter’s mixed heritage was used against him in 2023 when he contested Lagos’ apex political seat, the same standard should apply to the President’s son.
Inflammatory rhetoric has continued online, with some critics even calling Tinubu’s children “omo ale,” a derogatory term meaning "bastards."
However, not all reactions have been negative. Some view Seyi Tinubu’s marriage to an Igbo woman as a symbol of national unity, challenging the divisive ethnic politics that have long dominated Nigerian governance.
Supporters argue that his mixed heritage and the ethnicity of his family should not overshadow his potential to lead Lagos, a state known for its diversity and cosmopolitan nature.
Reactions trail Seyi Tinubu’s alleged ambition
@chiditweets042: Him papa don build Lagos na, wetin he wan come do? Plastering, painting, furnishing? Abeg make person tell me
@iam__temmyyy: Seyi Tinubu campaigning for the 2027 governorship election is the dumbest move I've ever seen this year.
Wait, who TF does he think he is???
@bint_Kaffy: Seyi Tinubu might be running for Lagos state governor in 2027. He’s coming to roof the Lagos his father built, Good kid.
@AfamDeluxo: Seyi Tinubu's wife is Igbo and he is definitely going to contest for Governor in 2027. I wonder what ronus are going to do knowing his wife is Igbo. We will all be here to witness conflict of interest agenda.
@Inno4Chi: Them go find 2nd wife for am after him use our sister during campaigns. Recall Northern Governors that married Buhari’s daughters as 2nd or 3rd wife then making them 1st ladies.
@OgechukwuChime: Supported. Lagos is Tinubu's family business. After Seyi, seyi's son will be warming up.
2027: Seyi Tinubu, senator, deputy gov emerge as frontrunners to succeed Sanwo-Olu
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the race for the Lagos State governorship in 2027 is heating up, with three prominent figures emerging as frontrunners to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to a report by ThisDay, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and businessman Seyi Tinubu are all vying for the influential position.
