Everywhere the Nigerian president goes, a certain bearded young man looms large behind him. He is neither part of the security detail nor a member of the official presidential team. He is Oluwaseyi Tinubu, the President’s first son. And it doesn’t bode well for Nigeria.
Seyi is neither humble nor discreet. He lets everyone know he’s in charge around his old man; that he doesn’t trust anyone else to look after his father. So he’s there to do it himself. It doesn’t matter how this makes anyone feel, especially those professionals paid to look after the president.
Mr. President, doesn’t mind Seyi’s meddling at all. He even seems to crave it. It’s as if he wants the world to know that this is his heir apparent. Is the President aware that Nigeria’s Republican constitution has no place for succession by blood?
And so, Seyi carries on like a spoilt child. He places himself ahead of serving ministers. He goes for handshakes with foreign dignitaries. He fancies himself as Prince of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He once sat in on Executive Council meetings until the media cried foul. He probably listens in nowadays or monitors proceedings on CCTV.
Who pays for Seyi’s official trips and time? Is he on the presidential payroll and protocol list? In what capacity? Is this allowed under the official code of conduct? Would it be alright if every state Governor replicates the Seyi template?
Clearly, there are two sets of rules that govern the affairs of the Nigerian state – one for the Tinubus and one for the rest of us.
The last time people like Seyi showed up in public was either in pre-colonial Africa or medieval Europe. Back then, it was the norm to groom the heir in the intricacies of statecraft by letting him shadow the king in his official duties. That way, his eventual takeover would be smooth.
That was before the Revolutions swept across Europe and Europeans toppled African kingdoms. Is Nigeria being prepped for Seyi’s takeover and the birth of the Tinubu dynasty? Is Nigeria moving backwards at full speed into a monarchy? Is “President” Bola Tinubu the new Nigerian monarch in disguise?
Consider the remotely engineered chaos in all the opposition parties. The state of emergency in Rivers State. The decamping of opposition politicians in droves to join the ruling APC. The handwriting on the wall is getting clearer.
Some say Seyi is the unofficial Deputy President. Others say he is his Daddy’s talisman and guardian angel. Whatever anyone says doesn’t bother both father and son. Seyi is in your face; take it or leave it.
Seyi is officially listed as an entrepreneur and founder of a thriving outdoor company; with a degree or two in Law and/or Business. But the word on the street is that he makes a living by hanging around the corridors of power, brokering meetings and deals with those who want to see his father, the president.
That is not entrepreneurship. That is abuse and peddling of parental influence. That is corruption by another name. That is unethical and constitutionally inappropriate in a modern-day Republic. But who cares?
At 40 years, Seyi is married to a gorgeous lady with whom he has two adorable kids. He can afford to live a cushioned life in their warm embrace whilst running his own hustle. But he prefers the daily company of his father; drinking coffee with presidential aides, hobnobbing with career politicians; and jostling for seats on the presidential plane.
Some other fellow might have chosen to set out on his own journey – far from the apron strings of his father and the whispers of party and media gossip.
But the Tinubus are no ordinary fellows. Seyi has simply transferred to Abuja a lifestyle he perfected in Lagos from his teens. Now, it’s too late to stop being Daddy’s boy.
Perhaps President Tinubu is suffering from a complex common with the nouveau riche. Having grown up without privileges themselves, they want their children to enjoy the arrears of good time they missed. Plus a compound interest. So, they tend to over-compensate.
Did President Tinubu’s own father hold his hand and lead him up to the Presidential Villa in Abuja? Do you know any leader of note today who was installed by their own parent?
The older Tinubu is obviously grooming his son to take over not just his private assets but also his political assets. The younger Tinubu is happy to walk in the shadows of his father. Case closed.
It doesn’t matter what the Nigerian Constitution says. It doesn’t matter what the President’s political associates say behind closed doors. It doesn’t matter how presidential aides feel. It doesn’t matter what Nigerians say.
Tinubu does what Tinubu want to do. That’s exactly what Seyi is banking on. Get used to it.
Victor Anazonwu is a media and communication strategist, author and commentator on public affairs
