ABUJA, Nigeria – Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to accept that he may never achieve his long-held ambition of becoming Nigeria’s president.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics Night programme on Monday, May 5, 2025, Bwala urged the 77-year-old Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain to accept “destiny” and channel his energy into nation-building by supporting President Tinubu’s administration.
“If I have the opportunity to meet him face to face, what I will tell him is just this: ‘Your Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, you have to believe in destiny,’” Bwala said.
“God gives power to whomsoever He chooses. And it seems from the facts on the ground that it may not have been the will of God for you to govern Nigeria.”
Atiku, who has contested for the presidency six times since 1993 and most recently lost to Tinubu in the 2023 general election, has yet to confirm whether he will run again in 2027.
In March, he said his decision would depend on the viability of a platform and broader political developments.
But Bwala believes the time has come for Atiku to shift focus.
“There are many other ways you can contribute. Since you have been a friend to President Bola Tinubu for many years, come together and bring your contribution towards the Nigeria that both of you wanted to create for the Nigerian people.”
He suggested that Atiku’s legacy could be redefined through collaboration.
“Your legacy will be that in your political dying days, you will be able to achieve some of your dreams, albeit through your friend.”
Bwala warned that if Atiku insists on another presidential run, he risks an unceremonious political end.
“But if he insists that he wants to run and he wants to become the president, as we have already seen it playing out, his political ending might not be as palatable as he’s thinking.”
Citing the loss of key allies and a shrinking political base, Bwala said younger politicians within Atiku’s camp are increasingly pursuing independent ambitions and no longer see him as a path to power.
