Atiku
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has declared that there will be a vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027 because the Nigerian Constitution mandates it.
Atiku was reacting to a statement by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, who declared during a courtesy visit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council led by Abdulaziz Yari that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock for the next five years, backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
In response, Atiku stated that the traditional ruler cannot endorse Tinubu on behalf of over 200 million Nigerians.
In a statement released on social media by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Atiku emphasized that the electorate, rather than traditional rulers, will determine the outcome of the election through the ballot box.
Atiku told the monarch, with due respect, that Aso Rock is not an extension of his palace, and that Nigeria’s presidency is not a royal stool for him to allocate. He maintained that there would be a vacancy in 2027 because the Constitution says so, adding that while the monarch may endorse Tinubu, he cannot do so on behalf of over 200 million Nigerians.
He stressed that it is the people, and not kings, courtiers or APC campaign councils, who will decide the outcome through the ballot.
Atiku further noted that while the palace may be insulated from the hunger, insecurity and crushing cost of living Nigerians currently face, millions of citizens are counting every painful day until 2027.
He added that democracy is not a coronation, stating that the monarch may have a preferred candidate, but does not have the authority to declare Nigeria’s presidential election settled before Nigerians vote.