The monarch of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has ruled out the chances of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ever becoming the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the world’s largest black nation.
Oba Akiolu said destiny did not favour the former Vice President to become Nigeria’s President, an office the frontline politician has been gunning for since the Third Republic in 1992.
The monarch disclosed this while speaking with journalists at his Iga Iduganran Palace as part of activities to mark his 22 years on the throne.
He said: “The future belongs to God. But let me say it plainly: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will never be President of Nigeria.”
ATIKU’S FAILED ATTEMPTS TO WIN PRESIDENCY
Atiku Abubakar GCON served as the Vice President from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Atiku Abubakar ran unsuccessfully for President of Nigeria six times, in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.
He ran in the Social Democratic Party presidential primaries in 1993, but lost to Moshood Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe.
He was a presidential candidate of the Action Congress in the 2007 presidential election coming in third to Umaru Yar’Adua of the PDP and Muhammadu Buhari of the ANPP.
He contested the presidential primaries of the People’s Democratic Party during the 2011 presidential election losing out to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
In 2014, he joined the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2015 presidential election and contested the presidential primaries losing to Muhammadu Buhari.
In 2017, he returned to the People’s Democratic Party and was the party presidential candidate during the 2019 presidential election, again losing to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
In May 2023, he won the PDP ticket but came in second in the general election, being defeated by Bola Tinubu.
In 2025, Abubakar left the PDP to join the African Democratic Congress.
In contrast to Atiku’s frustrated presidential ambition, according to Akiolu, President Bola Tinubu’s emergence was divinely ordained.
He appealed to Nigerians to support Tinubu in achieving his vision for the country.
Akiolu said: “Tinubu is compassionate and visionary. Who would have believed he would become President? He came here to the palace and presented his certificate to me first after winning.
“Lagosians and Nigerians should support him to fulfil God’s purpose for the country.”
