The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has responded to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, after the monarch declared that there would be “no vacancy in Aso Rock” for the next four or five years.
Akiolu made the statement while receiving the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, led by its Director-General, Abdulaziz Yari, during a visit to his palace in Lagos. The monarch also expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.
Reacting through a statement shared by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the outcome of the 2027 presidential election would ultimately be determined by voters at the ballot box.
He argued that the Oba could endorse Tinubu as his preferred candidate but could not do so on behalf of Nigerians.
Atiku also rejected the suggestion that the outcome of the 2027 election had already been determined, stressing that the presidency is decided through elections rather than by traditional rulers or political campaign councils.
He said:
“Kabiyesi, with due respect, Aso Rock is not an extension of your palace, and Nigeria’s presidency is not a royal stool for you to allocate.
“There will be a vacancy in 2027 because the Constitution says so. You may endorse Tinubu, but you cannot endorse him on behalf of over 200 million Nigerians.
“The people, and not kings, courtiers or APC campaign councils, will decide that through the ballot.
“While the palace may be insulated from today’s hunger, insecurity and crushing cost of living, millions of Nigerians are counting every painful day until 2027.
“Kabiyesi, democracy is not coronation. You may have a preferred candidate, but you do not have the authority to declare Nigeria’s presidential election settled before Nigerians vote. Kaaaabiyesi oooooo.”
