ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Oba of Lagos’ declaration that there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock, insisting that Nigerians—not traditional rulers—will determine who occupies the presidency in 2027.
Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has responded sharply to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, after the monarch backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.
The Oba of Lagos had declared that there would be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock for the next four or five years, expressing support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Atiku rejected the declaration, arguing that Nigeria’s presidency is determined through elections rather than by traditional authority.
In his response, the former vice-president said there would be a vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027 and maintained that Nigerians would ultimately decide who succeeds Tinubu through the ballot box.
Atiku also criticised the idea that the presidency could be treated as an institution to be allocated by a traditional ruler, stressing the constitutional role of voters in determining the country’s leadership.
The exchange marks a fresh escalation in the political rhetoric surrounding the 2027 presidential election.
The Oba’s endorsement of Tinubu came during a visit by APC Presidential Campaign Council Director-General Abdulaziz Yari and members of his delegation.
Atiku’s response reflects the increasingly competitive nature of the emerging presidential contest, with the ADC candidate positioning himself as one of the leading challengers to Tinubu.
The dispute also highlights the role traditional rulers may play in Nigeria’s electoral politics, particularly through public endorsements and mobilisation within their communities.
Ultimately, however, the occupant of Aso Rock after the 2027 election will be determined by the electoral process and the votes cast by Nigerians.