Political Family: 5 Nigerian Senators whose children are also in politics

Political dynasties are a defining feature of Nigeria’s democracy. Across the Senate, House of Representatives, and state assemblies, the surnames keep repeating, sons and daughters stepping into the arena their fathers first walked into. Here are five Nigerian senators whose children have followed them into politics:

1. Olusola Saraki → Bukola Saraki & Gbemisola Saraki

The late Olusola Saraki represented Kwara State in the Senate during the Second Republic (1979–1983) and went on to become the political godfather of Kwara for decades until his death in 2012. His legacy didn’t end with him. His son, Bukola Saraki, became a two-time Governor of Kwara State before rising to become President of the Senate. His daughter, Gbemisola Saraki, has served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and later became a Minister of the Federal Republic. Few families illustrate Nigeria’s political dynasties as clearly as the Sarakis.

2. David Mark → Blessing Onuh

David Mark is one of the most recognizable names in Nigeria’s National Assembly, he served as a senator representing Benue South and was President of the Senate from 2007 to 2015, making him the longest-serving lawmaker in the chamber’s history. His daughter, Blessing Onuh, has represented the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives since 2019, and has since won re-election to continue serving her constituency.

3. Musiliu Obanikoro → Babajide Obanikoro

Musiliu Obanikoro’s political career spans the Senate, where he represented Lagos State, as well as stints as Minister of State for Defence and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana. His son, Babajide Obanikoro, followed him into elected office as a member of the House of Representatives for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos, continuing the family’s political presence in the state.

4. Ifeanyi Okowa → Marilyn Okowa-Daramola

Before he became Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa served as senator for Delta North from 2011 to 2015. His daughter, Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, was elected to the Delta State House of Assembly in 2023, representing the Ika North-East constituency. Okowa himself has since set his sights on returning to the Senate, meaning the family’s presence in Delta politics is set to continue.

5. James Manager → Funyei Manager

James Manager represented Delta South in the Senate for two decades, from 2003 until 2023, making him one of the longest-serving senators from the Niger Delta. His son, Funyei Manager, was appointed a commissioner in Delta State’s cabinet under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and has since been named among a new generation of political heirs eyeing elective office ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nigeria’s political landscape continues to reflect the influence of these family networks, with second generation politicians occupying seats at the local, state, and federal levels accross the country.