A top aide to President Bola Tinubu has said it may not be the will of God for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to become Nigeria’s president, urging him to accept this possibility with grace.
Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, made the remark on Monday during an interview with TVC. He addressed the state of opposition politics in Nigeria and encouraged Atiku to shift focus from ambition to national collaboration.
“If I had the chance to speak to him directly, I would say: ‘Your Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, destiny must be accepted. God gives power to whomever He wills, and from what we’re seeing, perhaps it’s not in His plan for you to lead Nigeria,’” Bwala said.
He called on the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate to work with President Tinubu to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“There are many ways to make an impact. Since you and President Tinubu have been long-time friends, come together to help shape the Nigeria you both envisioned. Your legacy could still be fulfilled—even if it’s through someone else’s leadership,” Bwala added.
However, Bwala warned that if Atiku remains fixated on another presidential run, he may face further political setbacks.
“If he insists on running again, things might not end the way he hopes. Already, he’s lost a significant portion of his political base—possibly 60 to 70 percent,” he noted.
Bwala pointed out that many younger politicians once loyal to Atiku are now forging their own paths and no longer see him as a political anchor.
His comments follow a wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), highlighting a shift in Nigeria’s political landscape.
In March, Atiku himself acknowledged uncertainty about running in the 2027 election, stating that a credible platform would be essential before making such a decision.
Advertisement
