Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and political leader Salman Jawondo has called on political parties to take decisive action to address the growing trend of politicians’ children engaging in public political debates to defend their parents.
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In an interview with Dailytrust, Jawondo described this development as an “unfortunate and unhealthy” threat to ethical governance, political maturity, and Nigeria’s democratic integrity, urging parties to convene meetings with elected officials to reinforce the boundaries of public office.
Jawondo expressed alarm at the increasing involvement of elected officials’ children, particularly those of governors, in emotionally charged public defenses of their parents. “It is bad for governance, and quite frankly, it is embarrassing,” he stated, arguing that such actions lack discipline and undermine the professionalism required in public discourse. While acknowledging the constitutional right to free expression, he emphasized that the issue is one of ethics, not legality. “Public office demands a high level of responsibility, maturity, and self-restraint,” he said, noting that family members often lack the training to handle governance-related communication.
He clarified that children of politicians are free to pursue politics independently but should refrain from intervening in debates solely to defend their parents. “That’s why officials have aides and media advisers,” Jawondo explained, stressing that these roles exist to manage public communication, not emotionally driven relatives.
Jawondo warned that unchecked, this trend could escalate into physical confrontations, citing Nigeria’s volatile political climate where verbal attacks have led to threats or violence. “It creates instability and fosters a toxic political atmosphere,” he said. He further noted that such interventions erode public trust by portraying governance as a private affair rather than a public service, damaging democracy and the rule of law.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political culture, Jawondo described the trend as a “worrying level of degeneration,” contrasting it with earlier political eras where families stayed out of governance matters. “In the past, politicians knew the boundaries… Unfortunately, those lines are now being crossed,” he said, linking the behavior to a broader decline in political values.
To address the issue, Jawondo urged political parties to act swiftly. “Political parties must take responsibility. They should convene meetings with elected and appointed officials to remind them of the duties and limits that come with public office,” he proposed, advocating for explicit discouragement of family involvement in public discourse unless in a formal capacity. He also called on Nigerians to reject this behavior, stating, “Nigerians should firmly reject and caution them… Silence will only normalize it.”
Jawondo emphasized that public opposition is critical to prevent a “dangerous distortion” of democracy. “This is not democracy; it is rather the beginning of a dangerous distortion of it,” he warned, highlighting the need to protect accountability and mature governance.
Jawondo linked the trend to some politicians’ questionable paths to power, noting that many who secured office through manipulation or system abuse carry a sense of entitlement that extends to their families. “Their children begin to act as though public office is a personal inheritance, not a public trust,” he said, underscoring the need for ethical leadership to counter this mindset.
Reiterating that public office is a voluntary act, Jawondo stressed its inherent sacrifices, including surrendering privacy and accepting scrutiny. “Nobody is forced to accept public office… Criticism is part of that sacrifice,” he said, adding that family members should not interfere in these dynamics. “If you are not ready for that reality, you have no business being in office,” he advised public officeholders, urging them to keep governance separate from family affairs.
Jawondo cautioned that allowing this trend to continue could institutionalize unprofessional interference, shifting focus from public service to personal battles. “We must protect the dignity of our political space,” he concluded, urging a return to ethical political engagement to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic future.
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