By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Politics has always been fertile ground for propaganda. During every election cycle, facts are often sacrificed at the altar of political convenience, while carefully crafted narratives are deployed to shape public perception. Unfortunately, the current attempt to redefine the identity and political journey of Hon. Dele Oshinowo, popularly known as Mayor Dele Oshinowo, is another example of this troubling tradition.
Recent publications have repeatedly claimed that Mayor Dele Oshinowo is the biological son of the late Senator Adebayo Osinowo, the former representative of Lagos East Senatorial District. The claim has since become the foundation upon which allegations of political inheritance and nepotism are being constructed.
The problem is simple, the claim is false. The late Senator Adebayo Osinowo was never Mayor Dele Oshinowo’s biological father.
L–R: Mayor Dele Oshinowo with the late Senator Adebayo Osinowo at a function while the Senator was alive
Like many influential political leaders, Senator Osinowo mentored numerous younger politicians who have gone on to become significant public office holders across Lagos State. His political structure produced several notable figures, including Mayor Dele Oshinowo, Princess Samiat Bada, Hon. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawon and many others who benefited from his guidance, political experience and leadership.
That relationship was political, not biological. Confusing mentorship with parenthood is either an unfortunate display of poor journalism or a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
Those familiar with Kosofe’s political and social history know that Mayor Dele Oshinowo’s background has never been a mystery. His childhood was spent in Anthony Village, where his family remains well known. His biological parents are alive and have long been recognised members of their community. His father, respected by many residents, built his reputation as an automobile engineer who operated a workshop on Oyedele Ogunniyi Street. These are facts that residents who have lived in the area for decades can easily attest to.
Yet, despite these verifiable realities, a section of the media has chosen to manufacture a different story.
The objective appears obvious. Once the false narrative of biological succession is accepted, it becomes easier to portray his political emergence as a “family relay race” rather than the product of years of grassroots political engagement and public service. It is a convenient political argument—but convenience should never replace truth.
Mayor Dele Oshinowo Biological Parents, Mr and Mrs Oshinowo.
Political mentorship is neither unusual nor unique to Lagos. Across Nigeria and indeed around the world, experienced leaders mentor younger politicians, preparing them for leadership responsibilities. Such relationships are an accepted feature of democratic politics. They should not be deliberately distorted into tales of hereditary succession simply because two individuals share similar surnames.
Words matter. Facts matter even more. When journalists abandon verification for sensational headlines, they do more than damage an individual’s reputation—they weaken public trust in the media itself. Opinion may be subjective, but facts are not. Every publication owes its readers the responsibility of distinguishing between the two.
Mayor Dele Oshinowo deserves to be judged by his record, his leadership and his vision—not by a fictional family tree created for political advantage.
As Kosofe heads into another important political season, voters deserve debates built on policies, performance and ideas, not misinformation dressed up as investigative reporting.
The truth is straightforward: Senator Adebayo Osinowo was Mayor Dele Oshinowo’s political mentor, not his biological father. That distinction should never have required clarification. Yet in an era where falsehoods often travel faster than facts, it has become necessary to restate what many in Kosofe have always known.
A shared surname does not make a family. And political mentorship should never be mistaken for inherited bloodline.