A former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in South Africa, Mr Bola Babarinde, says Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, remains a child any father will be proud of.
Babarinde, the General Secretary Renewed Hope Global, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos, said that Tinubu’s son deserved support and not campaign of calumny against him.
“Today, Seyi stands as a symbol of youthful involvement in politics and a beacon for Nigerian youth. His courage and patriotism should be commended.
“We, at Renewed Hope Global, South Africa Chapter, salute him and wish him continued success.
“Should he decide to seek elective office in the future, he has already proven that he possesses the passion, resilience, and vision needed to serve Nigeria honourably.
“Enough of the campaign of calumny. Seyi Tinubu deserves our support, not just because of who his father is, but because of the values and dedication he himself represents,” he said.
According to him, across the decades, from the era of political icons like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the trend remains that their children rarely appeared in public political arenas.
He said that the trend also applied to more recent leaders like Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.
He attributed this perhaps to concerns over their children’s safety or a desire for privacy.
Babarinde added: “However, in a departure from that tradition, one young man stood out during the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, Mr Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“He played an active, visible, and commendable role in his father’s campaign.
“Seyi not only accompanied his father to various rallies but also organised his own, mobilising Nigerian youths, distributing food supplies, and initiating empowerment programmes aimed at voter engagement and political participation.
“Seyi Tinubu has since established himself as a significant figure in Nigerian politics, beyond the borders of his native Lagos State.
“His contributions helped shape the successful outcome of the 2023 elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC), the platform on which his father was elected.”
According to him, since the election, Seyi has continued to support his father’s administration wholeheartedly.
He said that rather than being celebrated, Seyi had faced criticism for remaining actively involved in national and international engagements alongside his father.
“To those detractors, one must ask: Where were you when he was courageously at the forefront of the campaign? He risked much, faced down opposition, and made personal sacrifices.
“He was the first son of any major presidential candidate to so visibly and effectively participate in a national campaign,” he said.
Babarinde said that Seyi deserved recognition, not condemnation.
The APC chieftain said that Seyi’s commitment to public service and the democratic process remained a lesson to political elite who shelter their children abroad, detached from the realities of the Nigerian state.
“Despite having the means to live a life of comfort overseas, Seyi chose instead to serve and engage with his motherland,” Babarinde said. (NAN)
