You Have No Authority To Declare Next President for Nigerians — Atiku Fires Back at Oba Akiolu

The African Democratic Congress ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has thrown a jab at Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, declaring that there would be a vacancy in “Aso Rock” in 2027 because the Nigerian Constitution warrants it.

Atiku was reacting to a declaration by Oba Akiolu that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock for the next five years.

Akiolu, who spoke when the presidential campaign council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by its Director-General, Abdulaziz Yari, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Lagos, backed President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.

However, Atiku said the traditional ruler could not endorse Tinubu on behalf of over 200 million Nigerians.

In an X post by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Nigerians, not kings, would decide their next president through the ballot.

… reads: “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.”