In the lead-up to the Edo State gubernatorial elections, Betsy Obaseki, wife of the state governor, remarked that Okpebholo and Akpata, two candidates in the election, have no wives. In response, Senator Adams Oshiomhole retorted by labeling her and her husband, Governor Obaseki, as childless. Both of these statements are not only inappropriate but reveal a troubling trend in our political discourse. Rather than focusing on the real issues that concern leadership, competence, and governance, we see a shift towards personal and irrelevant attacks.
This is not politics this is a shameful attempt to equate marital status and childbearing with leadership ability. It exposes the pettiness and desperation of politicians in their quest for power.
Leadership is not defined by whether one has a spouse or children; it is defined by competence, vision, and the ability to govern effectively. Reducing someone’s qualifications to their family status is a shallow attempt to distract from the real issues. Such behavior is not just disappointing it is a stark reminder of how misplaced our focus can be in evaluating the ability of leaders.
Throughout history, we have seen numerous leaders who defied traditional family norms yet left significant marks on the world. Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, does not have biological children. Does that make her less capable? Not at all. Similarly, Barack Obama, with two daughters, Malia and Sasha, will always be remembered for his transformational leadership, not for the gender of his children. Bill Clinton, with one daughter, Chelsea, and George W. Bush, with his two daughters, Barbara and Jenna, were both judged by their leadership and accomplishments, not by the size of their families or the gender of their children.
Boris Johnson became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in July 2019 while separated from his then-wife, Marina Wheeler. He later married Carrie Symonds in May 2021, while still serving as Prime Minister. Yet his personal life was irrelevant to his ability to lead the country through significant challenges. Similarly, Pierre Trudeau, former Prime Minister of Canada, was a bachelor during much of his tenure, and former French President François Hollande remained unmarried while in office. These leaders were evaluated by their policies, not their personal lives.
Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State, remains a respected figure in global diplomacy despite never marrying or having children. James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States, was a lifelong bachelor, yet his presidency was judged by his policies and leadership.
Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany, led her country through economic and political challenges for over 16 years without having children, yet her leadership was unmatched. Similarly, Theresa May, the former Prime Minister of Britain, had no children, yet that didn’t diminish her ability to navigate the complexities of Brexit and other challenges during her time in office. Emmanuel Macron, the current President of France, is married but has no children. Nevertheless, he continues to be a central figure in European politics.
In Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s first female president, balanced her personal life while making a lasting impact on her country. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who now leads the World Trade Organization, has demonstrated that success is about competence and vision, not conforming to traditional molds of leadership.
Even in business and entertainment, the narrative is no different. Oprah Winfrey has built a media empire and has had an immense impact on millions of lives without ever marrying or having children. Anna Wintour, the long-time editor-in-chief of Vogue, is renowned for her leadership in the fashion industry, and her personal life is rarely a topic of concern. In Nigeria, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is known for his sharp business acumen and success, which is independent of his personal life.
The entertainment industry also has its share of trailblazers who defied traditional expectations. Leonardo DiCaprio, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, has remained unmarried and childless while contributing significantly to cinema and environmental causes. Taylor Swift, one of the most powerful musicians globally, is celebrated for her talent and hard work, not her marital or parental status. In Nigeria, Genevieve Nnaji and Funke Akindele have achieved significant success in Nollywood, proving that women can excel with or without the conventional family setup.
Sports offer more examples. Venus Williams has left an indelible mark on tennis without ever marrying, but her legacy is built on her skill and dominance on the court. Simone Biles, an Olympic gymnast, continues to push the boundaries of her sport, demonstrating that personal life choices don’t define greatness. Closer to home, Nigerian footballer Asisat Oshoala has inspired millions with her skill and determination, showing that success in sports is about talent and perseverance, not marital status.
In academia and intellectual leadership, Simone de Beauvoir, the renowned feminist thinker and philosopher, never married or had children, yet her contributions to existentialist thought and feminism have had a lasting impact. Virginia Woolf, a celebrated British writer, also never had children, and her literary works continue to influence readers globally. In Nigeria, Wole Soyinka, a Nobel laureate and one of the country’s most respected intellectuals, is revered for his contributions to literature and activism, not for his family life.
These examples across politics, business, entertainment, sports, and academia show that leadership, innovation, and excellence are not defined by traditional family expectations. We should judge our leaders by their competence, vision, and ability to effect change, not by their family circumstances.
We should be asking ourselves: What does a leader bring to the table in terms of ideas, action, and governance? Judging them based on family circumstances only exposes the pettiness of some politicians and distracts from what really matters. Leadership isn’t about how many children you have or whether you’re married; it’s about vision, integrity, and the ability to effect change. Let’s hold our leaders to these standards instead.
Shaakaa writes from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.
