‘There Will Be Vacancy in Aso Rock’ — Atiku Fires Back at Oba of Lagos

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, over his declaration that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock for the next four or five years.

Atiku said the Nigerian presidency was not a traditional stool that could be allocated by a monarch, insisting that Nigerians would determine who occupies the Presidential Villa in the 2027 election.

The former Vice-President was reacting to Akiolu’s declaration during a visit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to the monarch’s palace in Lagos.

The campaign council, led by its Director-General, Abdulaziz Yari, had visited the Oba to seek his prayers, royal blessing and counsel ahead of the 2027 general elections.

During the meeting, Akiolu openly backed President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term and said, “For the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.”

Responding through a post on X by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Atiku said the monarch had the right to support his preferred candidate but could not determine the outcome of a national election on behalf of Nigerians.

“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,” Atiku said.

He further criticised the state of the country, pointing to economic hardship, insecurity and the rising cost of living as issues that would shape voters’ decisions when they go to the polls.

“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,” he said.

Atiku added, “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.”

Akiolu had, however, balanced his endorsement of Tinubu with a call for peaceful politics. While speaking to the APC delegation, the monarch urged political actors to conduct themselves responsibly and ensure that the 2027 election was peaceful.

He warned politicians against adopting the Machiavellian principle that “the end justifies the means”, stressing the need to protect peace and stability regardless of political ambitions.

Yari told the monarch that the APC campaign council had come to obtain his royal blessing, prayers and advice as it prepares to commence its nationwide activities.

According to Yari, the delegation had visited the Sokoto Caliphate before proceeding to Lagos as part of its consultations ahead of the election.

He appealed to Nigerians to support Tinubu for a second term, arguing that the President deserved more time to consolidate his administration’s programmes.

Yari pointed to the government’s interventions in the economy, security and infrastructure as reasons for the campaign council’s support for Tinubu.

He acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians but argued that there were signs of improvement in some areas, particularly efforts aimed at stabilising the economy and improving access to funds.

On security, Yari said the Tinubu administration had continued to equip and support the military and police in their operations.

He also recalled Tinubu’s political support for former President Muhammadu Buhari during Buhari’s political rise and amid the security challenges confronting the country.

Yari maintained that the campaign council’s support for Tinubu was not simply a matter of political repayment but was based on its belief that the President should be allowed to continue implementing his policies.

He said APC campaign council members from northern Nigeria would work to secure strong support for Tinubu across the region in 2027.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who attended the meeting, described the visit as important, noting that the delegation had chosen to seek the Oba’s blessing after its engagement in Sokoto.

Sanwo-Olu also highlighted Lagos’ political and economic importance, describing the state as Nigeria’s commercial and economic nerve centre.