2027: Atiku’s aide says Nigerians will decide as Oba of Lagos backs Tinubu

Phrank Shaibu, the media aide to Atiku Abubakar's presidential campaign, has stated that Nigerians will decide the outcome of the 2027 presidential election, rather than traditional rulers. Shaibu made this remark in response to Oba Riliwanu Akiolu of Lagos endorsing President Bola Tinubu for another term. The Lagos monarch had received Abdulaziz Yari, the Director-General of Tinubu's Presidential Campaign Council, along with other members of his delegation, at his palace.

Akiolu affirmed that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock for the next four or five years, urging politicians not to view political disagreements as permanent hostility. However, Shaibu cautioned the monarch against conflating the palace with the presidency. He emphasized that while the monarch has the right to choose his preferred presidential candidate, he cannot endorse Tinubu on behalf of the 200 million-plus Nigerian electorate.

Shaibu asserted that the people will decide the presidential outcome through the ballot, emphasizing that democracy is not a coronation.