The Humanity Of Power: The Soludo-Son Example 

CHRISTIAN ABURIME

We live in a country where political figures and privileged occupants of high public office often maintain stern public personas that prop them up on an intimidating pedestal. Their paraphernalia of office screams power. Some even appear as unapproachable demigods. And the halo of clout around them dazzles the ordinary. The question is, are public leaders not humans anymore?

Of course, they are humans, but only a few act human. Among the few can be said to be Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, who has consistently shown that true leadership sometimes means stepping off a high horse and into your child’s world.

The world-renowned technocrat, erudite professor and former Central Bank of Nigeria governor lately melted hearts across social media when he joined his son Ozonna in a viral video dance challenge for the young artist’s latest single, “Big Flex.”

The video, which has captured the attention of major Nigerian news and entertainment blogs, shows something remarkably uncommon in Nigerian politics: a high-ranking public official simply being a down-to-earth dad to a happy, loved son. Dressed in matching baseball caps with coordinated simple T-shirts, father and son moved in perfect synchronisation, displaying what one observer called “impressive dance moves” that have warmed the hearts of Nigerians nationwide.

What makes the father-son moment particularly exciting is how not many Nigerians have seen Governor Soludo in such a very lighthearted, convivial manner. Here was a man who once managed Nigeria’s critical monetary policy, now happily grooving to his son’s Afropop beats in a GenZ outlook, without a care for political propriety. Such simplicity of power!

The video has generated thousands of reactions across social media platforms, with many commentators focusing on the governor’s unconditional support for his son. As one fan noted, “All I see here is a father supporting his son,” while another observed, “If his father supports him, who are you to judge him?”

This public display of paternal love challenges the conservative expectations of political figures in Nigeria, where leaders are often expected to maintain stern, unapproachable personas in order to command respect. Governor Soludo’s willingness to participate in his son’s creative endeavours demonstrates a refreshing authenticity that touches base with everyday Nigerian families.

Ozonna Soludo himself, who is making waves online with his latest single “Big Flex,” represents a new generation of Nigerian youth who are choosing creative paths over traditional careers expected by parents. The talented artiste is known for his ability to skillfully combine pop, dance, and African rhythms with other music genres and boasts over 60,000 followers on Instagram and over 20,000 on other platforms.

The governor’s public support for his son’s musical career thus conveys an inspiring impression about parental acceptance and the importance of nurturing individual talents. Despite initial reservations by his parents, Ozonna remained steadfast in his decision to follow his passion, eventually earning their understanding. This journey from reservations to acceptance reflects the experiences of many Nigerian families who are often at loggerheads with changing career landscapes.

As the dance video is reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers and accumulating countless likes and shares across social media platforms, the widespread coverage really accentuates the public’s hunger for authentic, relatable content from their leaders.

In an age of carefully curated political images, Governor Soludo’s spontaneous dance moves may have achieved what many political campaigns struggle to accomplish: genuine connection with the people which is reminiscent of the ‘gwo gwo’ dance he appeared in some time ago.

The most poignant aspect of this viral moment lies in its demonstration of unconditional parental love. As one commenter wisely noted, “The first and only people that owe you love at all times are your parents. Please, if you can’t love your child unconditionally, don’t bring any child into this world”.

Interestingly, Ozonna Soludo’s musical journey reflects a broader trend in Nigerian entertainment, where young artists from prominent families are carving out their own creative spaces.

For instance, this reflects the path taken by superstars like Davido, whose father, business mogul, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke initially had reservations about his son’s musical career but eventually became one of his biggest supporters.

Similarly, Wizkid’s journey from Surulere to global stardom was supported by family members who recognised his talent and passion. Burna Boy’s rise to Grammy-winning status was nurtured by his mother, Bose Ogulu, who later became his manager. These success stories confirm that when parents support their children’s artistic ambitions, the results can be extraordinary.

In all, Governor Soludo’s dance video challenges the notion that high-profile parents must maintain distance from their children’s unconventional career choices. Instead, it suggests that true leadership can be humane at the homefront, where supporting your child’s dreams, regardless of societal expectations, becomes the ultimate expression of love and wisdom. It also shows that allowing children to chart their own course in life, with every parent choosing love over convention, support over control, and understanding over judgment, can lead to authentic happiness and success in the long term. Kudos to Ozonna…and let’s do the “Big Flex” together!