Phrank Shaibu, the media aide to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has said Nigerians, not traditional rulers, will decide who becomes president in 2027.
Shaibu was reacting to the declaration by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock for the next four or five years, following his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for another term.
The Lagos monarch, while receiving the Director-General of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, and members of his delegation at his palace on Monday, backed Tinubu’s bid for another term.
He said, “One important thing that I know very well is that for the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.”
“Politicians don’t fight; they only disagree to agree later,” as he cautioned politicians against treating political disagreements as permanent hostility.
However, in a series of tweets via his X handle late Monday, Shaibu cautioned the monarch against comparing the palace with the presidency.
He stated that while the monarch has the free will to pick his preferred presidential candidate, he (the monarch) can’t endorse Tinubu “on behalf of” Nigerians.
“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.
“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. The people, and not kings, courtiers or APC campaign councils, will decide that through the ballot.
“Kabiyesi, democracy is not a coronation. You may have a preferred candidate, but you do not have the authority to declare Nigeria’s presidential election settled before Nigerians vote.”
Shaibu’s response comes against the backdrop of the upcoming 2027 general election.
His principal and ADC candidate, Abubakar, has, in recent times, criticised the Tinubu-led administration, particularly on the removal of the fuel subsidy and the President’s United States academic and National Youth Service Corps credentials.
On September 13, 2026, Abubakar challenged Tinubu to account for the funds saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy, following the renewed threat of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
He said the latest strike threat contradicted the Federal Government’s justification for subsidy removal, as public universities still faced inadequate funding.
