The media aide to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, has fired back at the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, declaring that Nigerians, and not traditional rulers, will determine who occupies Aso Rock in 2027.
Shaibu’s reaction followed the monarch’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for another term, with the Oba declaring that there would be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock for the next four or five years.
The Lagos monarch made the declaration on Monday when he received the Director-General of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, and members of his delegation at his palace.
Oba Akiolu, while backing Tinubu’s re-election bid, said: “One important thing that I know very well is that for the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.”
He also urged politicians not to allow political disagreements to degenerate into permanent hostility, stressing that politicians “don’t fight; they only disagree to agree later.”
But Shaibu, in a series of posts on his X handle, cautioned the monarch against treating the presidency as though it were a traditional institution where succession could be predetermined.
According to him, the Oba has the right to support any candidate of his choice but cannot endorse Tinubu on behalf of millions 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,” Shaibu stated.
He added that the 2027 presidential election would create a constitutional vacancy regardless of the preference of any individual or group.
“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,” he said.
Shaibu further argued that democracy was based on the choice of voters and not the pronouncements of traditional rulers.
“Kabiyesi, democracy is not a coronation. You may have a preferred candidate, but you do not have the authority to declare Nigeria’s presidential election settled before Nigerians vote,” he added.
The exchange comes ahead of the 2027 general election, with political parties and presidential hopefuls already intensifying mobilisation across the country.
Atiku, who is flying the ADC flag, has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration over its economic policies, including the removal of petrol subsidy.
He recently challenged the Federal Government to account for funds saved from subsidy removal following the renewed threat of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The former Vice President questioned why public universities remained inadequately funded despite the government’s justification that subsidy removal would free resources for critical sectors, including education.
His comments followed ASUU’s renewed warning over outstanding obligations and unresolved agreements with the Federal Government, raising concerns over another disruption to the academic calendar.
The latest political exchange further highlights the growing contest for influence ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as candidates, political parties, traditional institutions and other interest groups take positions on who should succeed Tinubu.
