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Atiku will never be Nigeria’s president — Oba of Lagos

Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Rilwan Akiolu I

Atiku will never be Nigeria’s president — Oba of Lagos

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will never become Nigeria’s president, saying destiny has not aligned in his favour despite decades of political ambition.

Speaking with journalists at his Iga Iduganran Palace as part of activities marking his 22nd coronation anniversary, the monarch described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s rise to power as divinely ordained.

“The future belongs to God. But let me say it plainly: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will never be President of Nigeria,” Akiolu said.

He insisted that Tinubu’s emergence was not a coincidence but an act of divine will.

“Tinubu’s victory was the will of God. I have known him for many years as a compassionate and visionary leader. After his victory, he showed humility and respect by presenting his certificate to me first,” the monarch noted.

Akiolu commended Tinubu’s leadership qualities and urged Nigerians to support his administration, stressing that unity and patience were essential for national progress.

Atiku’s Long Road to Aso Rock

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has made several attempts to occupy Nigeria’s highest political office since the early 1990s.

1992: Sought the presidency under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) but lost to late M.K.O. Abiola.
2007: Contested on the Action Congress (AC) platform, coming third behind Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
2011: Lost the PDP presidential ticket to Goodluck Jonathan.
2015: Participated in the APC primaries, losing to Muhammadu Buhari.
2019: Became the PDP presidential candidate but lost to Buhari.
2023: Again ran on the PDP ticket, finishing third behind Bola Tinubu (APC) and Peter Obi (Labour Party).

Despite his consistency, Atiku’s dream of becoming Nigeria’s president remains elusive — a situation the Oba of Lagos attributed to divine destiny rather than political failure.

Atiku’s Camp Reacts

Reacting to the monarch’s remarks, Paul Ibe, spokesperson for the Atiku Media Office, dismissed Akiolu’s comment as “an expression of personal opinion with no bearing on Nigeria’s democratic process.”

He said the former Vice President remained committed to the country’s democratic future and would not be distracted by “palace politics or media statements.”

“Only God and the Nigerian people can decide who becomes president. Atiku Abubakar has always believed in democracy, the rule of law, and the will of the electorate — not pronouncements from individuals, however highly placed,” Ibe said.

He added that the PDP leader would continue to advocate for good governance and credible elections in Nigeria.