- Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, attended Justice Kekere-Ekun’s swearing-in as CJN, prompting mixed reactions on social media
- The incident follows President Tinubu’s warning against unauthorized access to Federal Executive Council meetings by Seyi and others
Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has stirred public reactions following his appearance at the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), pending her Senate confirmation. The event took place on Friday at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja, where Justice Kekere-Ekun took the oath of office and signed the oath register.
The controversy began on Monday when users on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) posted a picture showing Seyi Tinubu seated comfortably at the event. An investigation by Daily Trust confirmed that the image was genuine and not photoshopped, as a Google reverse image search showed no signs of the picture being doctored.
The picture quickly sparked divergent views online, with most users criticizing Seyi’s presence at such an important national event. Some of the reactions include:
- @USMOVIC: “It’s their turn.”
- @BadmusFranca: “Don’t be surprised when he becomes a governor tomorrow. He is being mentored.”
- @Don17488409: “They have turned this country to a joke, family affair.”
- @INwaudunna37240: “Anything is possible in Nigeria, take it or leave it.”
- @chukwuchidiB: “Seyi Tinubu is the Deputy Chief of Staff to Tinubu.”
However, some netizens defended Seyi’s presence at the ceremony:
- @WORLDWIDEFINAN5: “If your father is Nigeria’s president, may you be banished from entering Aso Villa like a fugitive, because your relationship with your father is not good doesn’t mean other children don’t enjoy a cordial relationship with their father irrespective of their status.”
- @alto_nate: “He’s learning the ropes. Na your next president o.”
- @wilex_williams: “Honestly, I have no issue with children of public office holders following them around as long as it won’t affect the running of that office, especially the executive arm of the government.”
This incident follows an earlier warning from President Tinubu in October 2023, where he warned Seyi and others against unauthorized access to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings. The president expressed concern over unauthorized individuals, including Seyi, being present at federal cabinet meetings and emphasized that only specific staff were allowed in the Council Chambers during these sessions.
“Last week, I noticed the undue access of people sneaking in and out of this Council, including… I saw the photograph of my son, Seyi, sitting behind. That is not acceptable. I will announce to you those people who are supposed to be here,” President Tinubu had stated.
He clarified that only his Special Advisers on Policy Coordination, Information and Strategy, Principal Private Secretary, and Private Secretary had the privilege to attend these meetings unless he specifically requested others. The president made it clear that unauthorized access to these meetings must end.