Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his long-standing ambition to become Nigeria’s president, suggesting that his political journey may have reached its end.
Speaking during a live broadcast of Journalist Hangout on TVC, Bwala addressed Atiku’s history of six unsuccessful attempts at securing Nigeria’s top political office, either through party primaries or as a presidential candidate. He advised Atiku to embrace what he called “destiny” and contribute to nation-building through collaboration with long-time friend and incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“If I have the opportunity to meet him face to face, I would say: ‘Your Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, you have to believe in destiny. God gives power to whomever He chooses, and from the facts on the ground, it seems it may not have been God’s will for you to govern Nigeria,’” Bwala said.
Bwala, a former ally of Atiku, encouraged him to focus on legacy rather than another electoral attempt in 2027. According to Bwala, partnering with President Tinubu could be a more impactful way to leave a lasting mark on the nation.
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“There are many other ways he can contribute. Since he has been friends with President Tinubu for years, he can align with the current administration to help build the Nigeria they both envisioned,” he added.
Bwala warned that any further political campaigns by Atiku could end in disappointment, citing massive defections within Atiku’s political base.
“He has lost between 60 to 70 percent of his political family. If he continues on this path, his political ending may not be as palatable as he hopes,” Bwala said.
Peter Obi Should Avoid Alliance with Atiku – Bwala.
Bwala also commented on growing speculation surrounding a potential alliance between Atiku and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. He described such a move as a strategic miscalculation that could severely damage Obi’s credibility and political momentum.
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“Peter Obi would be making the biggest mistake of his life by agreeing to be a running mate again. The ‘Obidients’ only had one contract with him—to run for president. If he steps down from that, he will lose the majority of his followers,” Bwala explained.
He added that Obi himself may not be comfortable in a secondary role, having already carved out his own political identity.
Obi previously ran as Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 elections under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before contesting independently in 2023 under the Labour Party banner.
Coalition Talks for 2027 Already Failing – Bwala.
Addressing recent efforts by opposition figures to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, Bwala declared the movement “dead on arrival.” He argued that President Tinubu’s growing political influence has rendered such alliances ineffective.
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“Governors, senators, and party loyalists are crossing over. Where they once thought they had strongholds, people are now aligning with President Bola Tinubu. He’s not perfect, but his heart and mind are in the right place,” Bwala stated.
He concluded by asserting that no current political figure matches Tinubu’s ability to unite diverse political forces in Nigeria.
