Former Presidents' Children Tinubu Has Given Appointments So Far
- President Bola Tinubu gave appointments to the children of the former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, and recently declared president, the late MKO Abiola
- Both Babangida and Abiola were seen as heroes and villains in the June 12 election, which has been adjudged as the freest and fairest in the history of the country
- On the other hand, Tinubu was considered a strong critic of Babangida for annulling the June 12 election, and Abiola was officially declared the winner by the late president Muhammadu Buhari
President Bola Tinubu, since his inauguration on May 29, 2025, has continued to build bridges and settle scores with political allies. At the same time, he had made enemies among some aggrieved friends and allies who felt they were ignored.
In his path to building bridges and honouring old allies, the president has given appointments to no fewer than three children of two former presidents. Interestingly, the former presidents can be said to be forever enemies, based on historical events, even as one of them has died.
Source: Twitter
The rift between Babangida and Abiola
The former presidents are late Chief MKO Abiola and former military president, Ibrahim Babangida. While Abiola was the winner of the June 12, 1993, election, Babangida annulled the election, leading to global condemnation.
So far, the June 12, 1993, election has been adjudged as the freest and fairest in the history of the country. Recently, at a book launch, Babangida admitted the reality that Abiola actually won the election.
Former president Muhammadu Buhari had earlier declared late Abiola as president and granted him the status of the GCFR and one of Nigeria's former presidents.
On the other hand, Tinubu, who was an active participant in the June 12 struggle, not only attended Babangida's book launch but also went ahead to give an appointment to his son, while two of Abiola's children were already members of his cabinet.
Children of former presidents appointed by Tinubu
Below is the list of the former presidents' children working with Tinubu:
Rinsola Abiola
President Tinubu recently upgraded the appointment of Rinsola Abiola, the daughter of the late democratic hero and winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, from senior special assistant to the director general of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC).
According to a statement from the presidency, Abiola is an expert in strategic communication and governance relations. She was serving as a senior special assistant to the president before the new appointment.
Source: Twitter
Jamiu Abiola
Shortly after his swearing-in in 2023, President Tinubu allegedly appointed Jamiu Abiola as special assistant (SA) on special duties.
The president confirmed Jamiu's appointment in a letter he sent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) before he left for the United Nations summit in New York.
Mohammed Babangida
The president recently appointed Mohammed Babangida, the son of the former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida.
Tinubu recently announced the appointment of the young Babangida as the chairman of the revamped Bank of Agriculture.
Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu's special adviser on information and strategy, announced the appointment on Friday, July 18. The young Babangida has expressed his appreciation to the president for the appointment.
Tinubu told to support Anioma state
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu was urged to support the creation of the Anioma state.
The UNIEC officially endorsed the creation of the new state under discussion in the National Assembly.
The Igbo Elders Council argued that the region had been shortchanged in the past by having 15 senators.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
