APC chieftain: Seyi Tinubu doing what children of past presidents never did

Isaac Balami, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, says Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, “has continued to do what most children of presidents have never done”.

Balami spoke in a statement issued on Monday in response to criticisms of the younger Tinubu who has been on a tour of some northern states in the spirit of Ramadan.

Shamsuddeen, the son of the Bauchi state governor Bala Mohammed, had made an appeal to Tinubu not to reduce Bauchi youths to beggars during his tour of the state by giving them handouts.

The president’s son also faced backlash when he declared that his father is the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.

Balami, a former spokesperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the call by some Lagosians on Tinubu to take a shot at the Lagos state governorship position in 2027 may have motivated the sudden campaign of calumny.

According to Balami, rather than being attacked, Tinubu should be awarded some medals “for all he has done for the unity and progress of the country and for extending his humanitarian work to all parts of the country”.

Describing the criticisms as needless and politically motivated, Balami said “the haters of Nigeria know that what Seyi Tinubu is doing will amount to not just victory for himself, but victory for young people”.

“Nigerians should rather call on young politicians, local government administrators and other young entrepreneurs to emulate Seyi Tinubu by supporting individuals who are truly in need and not to discourage this young man,” he added.

“Mr Seyi Tinubu had started this Iftar reach-outs 10-15 years ago when the father was not the nation’s president. Are some people saying he should quit because the father is the current president?

“What, therefore, is wrong should the son of the president reach out to those in need or genuinely share some moments with northern Muslims at their quiet and prayerful time?

“The most ridiculous is the insinuation that his gesture was politically motivated. Even if Seyi is doing this for political reasons, what is wrong?

“We know how children of presidents behave. Many won’t come down from their high horses, but Seyi has continued to do what most children of presidents have never done. He is down to earth.”

Balami said it would be unfair to Seyi if people miss the statement he continues to make with his various humanitarian efforts.

He also said Seyi has engaged people from other ethnic groups in his organisation.

“More than 50 percent of the staff in his organisation are northerners,” Balami said.