The federal parliament is becoming a rendezvous for children of Nigeria's high and mighty.
he National Assembly used to be a platform for the grass-to-grace
Nigerian politicians and political thugs. In a couple of years, it has
become a dumpsite for former recalcitrant, power-hungry governors and
ministers.
But Punch is reporting that the federal parliament is becoming a
rendezvous for children of Nigeria's high and mighty.
Below is a list.
BENI LAR
Beni Lar, a lawyer, is the eldest daughter of a former Governor of
Plateau State, the late Solomon Lar. The 51-year-old is a member of
the Peoples Democratic Party representing Langtang North/South Federal
Constituency of Plateau State.
She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 and became the
Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs. She was re-elected in 2011
and became the Chairman, Committee on Human Rights. In 2015 during her
third term in the House, she was chairman, committee on science and
technology, a position she has maintained in the current 9th House.
OLUMIDE OSOBA
Representing Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency
of Ogun State, Olumide Osoba is the son of former Governor Segun
Osoba. Olumide who ran on the platform of the All Progressives
Congress where his father is a kingmaker in the state, defeated
another silver spoon, Rinsola, one of the daughters of the late MKO
Abiola and candidate of Action Democratic Party.
Olumide had represented the constituency in the House between 2011 and
2015 on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (now
APC). He is now chairman, house committee on sports.
BABAJIDE OBANIKORO
A Political Science graduate, Babajide Obanikoro is a 37-year-old son
of Musiliu Obanikoro, a former member of the Senate and ex-Minister of
State for Defence. The fresh lawmaker had lost elections into various
offices before eventually winning the House seat.
He had failed to become Chairman of Obalende/Ikoyi Local Council
Development Area (2011) and member of the Lagos State House of
Assembly (2015), both on the platform of the PDP.
Babajide later in February 2018 dumped the PDP, where the senior
Obanikoro had also lost his governorship bids, and joined his father
in the APC. There, he got the ticket of the ruling party and won the
2019 election to become the lawmaker representing Eti Osa Federal
Constituency.
Despite being a first-timer, he is now the vice-chairman, committee on steel
AKEEM ADEYEMI
One of the sons of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Prince
Akeem Adeyemi, has been representing Afijio/Atiba/Oyo-East/Oyo-West
Federal Constituency in Oyo State since 2015.
Incidentally, 42-year-old Akeem, of the APC, contested against another
son of the foremost Yoruba king, Bayo, of the PDP, in the 2019
election.
MOSHOOD AKIOLU
Similar to the royal Adeyemi family in Oyo, Moshood Akiolu, the son of
the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, is representing Lagos Island
Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives on the
platform of the APC. The first-timer is Vice-Chairman, House Committee
on North-East Development Commission.
SHAMSUDDEEN DAMBAZAU
Representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency of Kano State is
Shamsuddeen Dambazau, a son of the immediate past Minister of the
Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) who served as Chief of
Army Staff between 2008 and 2010.
BLESSING ONUH-MARK
Blessing Onuh, representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of
Benue State, is the daughter of a former President of the Senate,
David Mark. The senior Mark was in the Senate representing Benue South
Senatorial District from 1999 to 2019, during which he was Senate
President (2007 to 2015).
Her father, a retired brigadier general and PDP stalwart, was military
governor of Niger State (1984 to 1986) and later minister of
communications.
Incidentally, Onuh contested against Mark’s cousin, Umahi Ahubi (the
then Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly), for the PDP ticket
and lost. She got the ticket of the All Progressive Grand Alliance and
defeated her uncle in the election.