The recent defection of Abba Atiku Abubakar, one of the sons of opposition leader and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress coalition, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, has revealed that prominent family members in Nigeria are not always united politically.

The younger Abubakar has pledged loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, but his father is leading a coalition to oust him from power.

Though the younger Abubakar’s defection is the latest of such, before him were other politicians who joined separate political parties from their fathers’. The list is by no means exhaustive.

Alvan Ikoku vs Samuel Goomsu Ikoku

In the First Republic, Samuel Goomsu Ikoku, a radical socialist politician on the Action Group platform in 1957, contested the Eastern House of Assembly election against his father, the famous Alvan Ikoku, whose image was emblazoned on the Nigerian N10 banknote. The junior Ikoku defeated his father, who belonged to the United National Independence Party, setting a precedent for such a political phenomenon: a son and father belonging to opposing political parties.

Olushola Saraki vs Bukola Saraki

At Nigeria’s return to democracy, a political tussle over who would become Kwara’s governor in 2011 saw former Governor Bukola Saraki and his father, Olushola Saraki, part ways after long years of political alliance. The former Senate president held on to the Peoples Democratic Party structure to support his candidate, Abdulfatah Ahmed, while his father defected to the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria to support his daughter Gbemisola Saraki’s governorship bid. The junior Saraki camp, however, won.

Nasir El-Rufai vs Bello El-Rufai

Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, dumped the party for the Social Democratic Party shortly after his ministerial nomination was blocked by the Senate. He later joined the African Democratic Congress coalition, uniting with other disgruntled politicians who left the PDP for ADC, including Peter Obi (of the Labour Party). However, Mr El-Rufai’s eldest son, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, remains an APC member. 

David Mark vs Blessing Onyeche Onuh 

Former Senate President David Mark, a former PDP bigwig who is now an arrowhead in ADC, and his daughter, Blessing Onuh, are in opposing political parties. While Mr Mark is in the coalition pushing for the ouster of APC, his daughter is a member of the ruling party and represents Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

James Ibori vs Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu

James Ibori, a former Delta governor and founding member of the PDP, has his daughter, Ibori-Suenu, in the APC. Ms Ibori-Suenu, a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, was previously a member of the PDP. 

Olusegun Obasanjo vs Juwon Obasanjo

While former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed the PDP candidate in the 2019 presidential election, his son, Juwon Obasanjo, openly supported and campaigned for former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. The younger Obasanjo joined the Buhari Campaign Organisation and was appointed as the national coordinator of the Buhari Youth Organisation, working against his father’s preferred candidate.

Doyin Okupe vs Ditan Okupe

In 2019, Doyin Okupe, a PDP member and former spokesman for Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, and his son Ditan Okupe, were in opposing political camps. While Mr Okupe supported the PDP in the 2019 election, his son supported the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.