Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has responded to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, after the monarch declared that there would be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock for the next four or five years.

Akiolu made the statement while receiving members of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, led by its Director-General, Abdul’aziz Yari, at his palace in Lagos.

The visit formed part of the campaign council’s consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections. During the meeting, the monarch expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for another term and said he expected continuity in the Presidential Villa.

“One important thing that I know very well is that for the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” Akiolu said.

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The monarch also called on politicians to conduct themselves responsibly and ensure that the 2027 election is peaceful. He cautioned against adopting the principle that the end justifies the means in the pursuit of electoral victory.

 Atiku Says Voters Will Decide 2027 Presidency

Reacting to the declaration, Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, argued that the outcome of the presidential election would ultimately be determined by Nigerian voters.

Atiku said traditional rulers and political organisations could endorse candidates, but could not determine the result of an election before citizens cast their ballots.

“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,” Atiku said in the statement shared by his aide.

He further rejected the suggestion that the presidency had already been settled ahead of the 2027 election.

“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,” he said.

Atiku maintained that the electorate, rather than traditional rulers, campaign councils or other political actors, would determine who occupies the presidency through the ballot.

“Kabiyesi, democracy is not 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.

Atiku Raises Economic and Security Concerns

The ADC presidential candidate also used his response to point to economic difficulties and insecurity as issues that he said would be relevant to Nigerians ahead of the election.

He argued that many citizens were dealing with the effects of rising living costs and other economic pressures.

“While the palace may be insulated from today’s hunger, insecurity and crushing cost of living, millions of Nigerians are counting every painful day until 2027,” Atiku said.

His response comes as political parties and presidential contenders intensify activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

APC Campaign Council Seeks Support for Tinubu

The APC Presidential Campaign Council’s visit to the Oba of Lagos was part of its wider consultations with traditional and religious leaders.

Yari has been seeking support, prayers and advice for Tinubu’s re-election campaign as the party prepares for its activities ahead of the 2027 polls. Reports on the consultations said the campaign council highlighted the administration’s record on areas including the economy, security and infrastructure.

Akiolu’s endorsement represents his personal position on the presidential contest, while Atiku’s response emphasises the constitutional role of voters in determining the eventual winner.

The exchange also illustrates the differing positions emerging ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with political candidates, parties and other influential figures increasingly making their positions known.

For now, the disagreement centres on whether political endorsements can be treated as an indication of the eventual direction of the presidential contest, with Atiku insisting that the final decision belongs to voters at the ballot box.