Politics
2027: Presidency May Not Be Your Destiny, Support Tinubu – Bwala To Atiku
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to give up on his long-standing ambition to become Nigeria’s president.
During an appearance on Journalist Hangout, a programme aired on TVC on Monday, Bwala said Atiku’s consistent failure to secure the presidency points to a higher force at play.
The former lawmaker, who once worked closely with Atiku, suggested that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain should consider his political journey as possibly complete.
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“If I have the opportunity to meet him face to face, what I would tell him is just this: ‘Your Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, you have to believe in destiny.
“God gives power to whomever He chooses, and it seems, from the facts on the ground, it may not have been God’s will for you to govern Nigeria,’” Bwala said.
He encouraged Atiku to leverage his decades-long relationship with President Tinubu to help move the country forward, rather than continue on a path that may end in disappointment.
“There are many other ways you can contribute, and since you have been a friend to President Bola Tinubu for many years, come together and bring your contributions towards Nigeria that both of you wanted to create for the Nigerian people so that your legacy will be that in your political dying days, you were able to achieve some of your dreams, albeit through your friend,” he advised.
However, Bwala warned that if Atiku insists on running again in 2027, the outcome may not be favorable.
“If he insists that he wants to run and wants to become the president, as we are already seeing it playing out, his political ending may not be as palatable as he is thinking because right now, from his political family, he has lost substantial people, probably sixty to seventy per cent,” he said.
Bwala also commented on growing rumors of a potential alliance between Atiku and Peter Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate in 2019 before contesting independently in 2023.
He said any such collaboration would be politically damaging for Obi.
“And then the conversation with Peter Obi – Peter Obi will be making the biggest mistake of his life to now come together under the agreement that he will be a running mate because all of the people you are hearing ‘Obidient’ had only one contract with Peter Obi, that he will run for president.
“The minute Peter Obi drops the idea of running for president himself, I can guarantee you he will lose the majority of the people that are following him. This is without taking away the fact that Peter Obi himself may not be comfortable in that arrangement,” Bwala added.
Turning to ongoing efforts to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, Bwala dismissed them as ineffective, citing Tinubu’s growing influence across party lines.
“But those who are close watchers of events and activities and are not moved by emotions will see signs that indicate the coalition is dead on arrival. Governors on the platforms of their parties are joining us; senators are joining us.
“Everywhere they think they have strong structures, the people are coming under the tutelage of President Bola Tinubu,” he stated.
“President Bola Tinubu may not be perfect; he may make mistakes, but one fact is clear: his head and his heart are right. There is no politician alive today who has the political gravitas to gather people as much as President Bola Tinubu. We are not bothered,” Bwala concluded.
Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, has warned that Peter Obi may not be able to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if he contests without a broader opposition alliance.
Okonkwo made the statement during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, amid renewed efforts by opposition figures to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, a united opposition front remains the only realistic strategy for defeating Tinubu at the polls.
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He argued that Obi would face difficulties securing enough support in Northern Nigeria if he chooses to contest against Tinubu alone.
“Coalition is the only way out,” Okonkwo said, while referring to Tinubu’s political approach and his previous comments about the nature of political power.
He further dismissed the possibility of Obi defeating Tinubu on his own, even if former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso joins him as running mate.
“So, if Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits,” Okonkwo said.
He questioned whether Obi would receive sufficient support in Kano, noting that the former Anambra State governor did not secure the state in the 2023 presidential election.
“Will Kano people accept Peter Obi? In 2023, when we had the opportunity, they did not accept him. In 2027, they will not accept him,” he added.
Okonkwo also played down Kwankwaso’s political influence, claiming that the former Kano governor had lost some of his strength, including in his home state.
“Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost,” he said.
His comments come as opposition politicians continue discussions over the possibility of forming a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has cautioned its members against anti-party activities in the forthcoming National and State Assembly elections.
A government house statement released in Osogbo on Wednesday added that the party warned that all members must support Accord candidates at the polls.
Rising from a closed door stakeholders’ meeting, the party noted several reports of Accord members allegedly backing candidates from PDP, APM, APP and even APC, directing that those members or leaders caught in such acts will face severe disciplinary actions.
The meeting presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke passed a resolution that all disagreements over selection of legislative candidates should be resolved and the party must unite behind the candidates already fielded by the party.
Under no circumstances should any Accord member be caught sponsoring or working for legislative candidates of other political parties. Such behaviour will not be tolerated, the stakeholders meeting resolved.
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The meeting further directed a small committee to work on constituencies where such abnormalities are noted and take appropriate measures to stop the menace and even sanction the culprits if they persist in such anti-party conduct.
The Accord leadership in the state was also directed to activate monitoring actions to identify those involved in such conduct and call them to order as urgently as possible.
Meanwhile, Gov Adeleke used the Forum to register his gratitude to party members for their steadfast support during the turbulent electioneering process.
“I am deeply grateful to our party members for their depth of loyalty and courageous disposition throughout the democratic struggle. Osun people trusted us and they fought for us under the divine direction of God Almighty.
“We praise God Almighty, the courageous people of Osun state, the electoral commission and you, our loyal party members and leaders. I will remain steadfast in my commitment to the people, the party and God almighty.
“I task us to support our party candidates in the forthcoming legislative elections. We must avoid anti-party activities. Severe sanction awaits any party member who works against the candidates of the party.
“I have also tasked our candidates to reach out to all segments of the party. We must run an inclusive campaign. All shades of opinion must be mobilised for resounding success in future elections”, the governor admonished leaders at the stakeholders’ forum.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised the alarm over a fake online recruitment notice claiming that the commission has commenced the recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff ahead of the 2027 General Election.
INEC issued the warning on Monday, August 31, 2026, following the circulation of a message online directing prospective applicants to a website purportedly created for the recruitment exercise.
The electoral commission dismissed the information as false, stressing that the recruitment notice and website did not originate from it.
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In a statement, INEC said, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a message circulating online claiming that the Commission is currently recruiting and training ad-hoc staff for the 2027 General Election.”
The commission further clarified that the website being circulated is not its official recruitment portal.
“This information is not from INEC. The website/link being circulated is NOT an official INEC recruitment portal,” INEC stated.
The electoral body warned Nigerians against clicking on the link or providing personal information through the platform, particularly as fraudulent recruitment websites can be used to obtain sensitive details or solicit payments.
“Members of the public are strongly advised NOT to click on the link, submit personal information, upload documents or make any payment through the platform,” the commission warned.
INEC advised members of the public to rely only on its verified communication channels and official websites for information concerning recruitment and election-related activities.
“INEC’s official recruitment and election-related announcements are published through the Commission’s verified communication channels and official websites,” it said.
The commission directed Nigerians seeking authentic information to visit its official website, inecnigeria.org.
INEC also noted that it had previously warned the public about fraudulent websites and fake recruitment advertisements purporting to originate from the commission.
The electoral body urged Nigerians to disregard the latest notice and avoid further circulating it.
“Please disregard and do not circulate this false recruitment notice,” INEC said.
The commission concluded its warning with an appeal to Nigerians to verify the authenticity of online information before clicking on links or submitting personal details.
“Stay informed. Stay safe. Always verify before you click,” INEC stated.
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