“Aso Rock is not an extension of your palace” — Atiku fires back at Oba of Lagos

The 2027 presidential election will ultimately be decided by Nigerian voters, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said in response to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu’s declaration of support for President Bola Tinubu.

The Oba had declared that there would be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock for the next five years, signalling his backing for Tinubu to remain in office beyond the 2027 election.

He made the declaration when members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, led by its Director-General, Abdulaziz Yari, paid a visit to his palace in Lagos.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), however, rejected the suggestion that the outcome of the next presidential election had already been determined.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Atiku said traditional rulers could express their political preferences but did not possess the authority to decide who would occupy the Presidential Villa.

“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,” Atiku said.

According to him, the Nigerian Constitution provides for another presidential election in 2027, meaning the position will be open to candidates seeking the mandate of the electorate.

He stressed that the final decision would be made by voters at the polling booths rather than by monarchs, political campaign organisations or other influential individuals.

“The people, and not kings, courtiers or APC campaign councils, will decide that through the ballot,” he said.

Atiku also used the opportunity to highlight the economic and security difficulties confronting Nigerians, saying such issues would be central to the 2027 contest.

He argued that while some members of the political and traditional elite might be shielded from the effects of the country’s economic difficulties, millions of ordinary Nigerians were directly experiencing rising living costs, hunger and insecurity.

“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 added.