CHILDREN OF POLITICIANS IN 2023 CONTEST
CHILDREN OF POLITICIANS IN 2023 CONTEST
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
28th May,2022
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To begin with, our conversation on leadership "should" and or "must" go beyond the issue of ones "family" or "age" or "being poor" and or "being rich". Democracy is about "participation" not about being the child of a "poor man" or a "rich man". Leadership in democracy is for those who offer themselves to serve. One must offer himself or herself for elections for the electorate to choose who to vote for from among the various candidates who offer themselves for elective positions.
It amazes me to see some social media users raised an "eyebrow" either out of "mischief" or "ignorance" and or both on the children of some politicians who have chosen to follow their fathers' footsteps in the political arena. It is strange to want to raise a "dust" over an issue which a constitutional right of a person as well as something that is obtainable even in the so-called advance democracies.
In my thought, we need Nigerians with patriotism, dedication, capacity, vision, passion, knowledge and competence in leadership positions in order to take us out of the woods regardless of certain sentiments.
Permit me to List children of some politicians contesting in 2023 elections: Bello Nasir el-Rufai, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, Erhiatake James Ibori-Suenu, Chinedum Theodore Orji, Orode Emmanuel Uduaghan, Marylin Ifeanyi Okowa-Daramola, Idris Abiola Ajimobi, Olumide Olusegun Osoba, Olamiju Alao-Akala, Sagir Dalhatu Bafarawa, Mustapha Sule Lamido, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu , Adam Namadi Sambo, Pam Jonah David Jang, Joju Ayodele Fayose, Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro, and Salihu Tanko Yakasai etc.
In democracy one must offer himself or herself for elections for the electorate to decide who to vote. Since there is nothing wrong in the children of "Doctors" or "Lawyers" or "Engineers" or "Accountants" or "Generals" or "Pastors" or "Imams" etc., following their fathers' footsteps, why should that of politicians be different? Let us allow the electorate to determine who wins.
In the US where we borrowed our presidential system there is a history of family members or political dynasties in its politics. We have had the Kennedy, Bush, Roosevelt, Adams etc ., political families'.
THE KENNEDY FAMILY:
President Kennedy formerly Senator John F. Kennedy. In the family there were Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Senator Edward Kennedy. Edward Moore "Ted " Kennedy served as senator for almost 47 years.
THE BUSH FAMILY:
Prescott Bush, was a Senator from Connecticut. His son was George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. And of course, his sons are George and Jeb Bush, Governors of Texas and Florida. President Bush Jr. 45th president of US.
THE ROOSEVELTS FAMILY:
The Roosevelt's family has Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as Eleanor Roosevelt, who was part of the family herself.The Roosevelt family’s political success started with Nicholas Roosevelt, who was the first of them to hold elected office, as an alderman. The family members have held many different political positions in New York and nationally since then.
THE ADAMS FAMILY:
Like the Roosevelts, the Adams have put out two United States Presidents, John Adams, and John Quincy Adams. Their members played a role in the country’s founding all the way up to the early 20th century.
THE HARRISONS FAMILY:
The Harrison's family has presidents, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison, however their family is far more ingrained in the country. Benjamin Harrison V. was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Their family list is peppered with notable members who were governors and senators as well.
THE TAFTS FAMILY:
The Taft's family have produced multiple senators, governors, judges, and of course a President. William Howard Taft was the most famous of the Tafts. He was President for one term. President Taft’s son, Robert A. Taft, was a Senator from Ohio.
May God bless Nigeria!