It may not be God’s will for you to govern Nigeria, Bwala tells Atiku

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to reconsider his political aspirations and accept that it may not be his destiny to lead Nigeria.

Speaking during an appearance on TVC’s Politics Hangout on Monday, Bwala noted Atiku’s six previous attempts to become president, either through party primaries or as a candidate, and suggested it was time for him to contribute in other ways.

“If I have the opportunity to meet him face to face, what I would tell him is just this: ‘Your Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, you have to believe in destiny. God gives power to whomever he chooses, and it seems, from the facts on the ground, it may not have been God’s will for you to govern Nigeria,” Bwala said.

He encouraged Atiku to partner with President Tinubu, whom he described as a longtime associate, to support national development.

“There are many other ways you can contribute, and since you have been a friend to President Bola Tinubu for many years, come together and bring your contributions towards the Nigeria that both of you wanted to create for the Nigerian people so that your legacy will be that in your political dying days, you were able to achieve some of your dreams, albeit through your friend,” he added.

Bwala cautioned that if Atiku remains focused on contesting again in 2027, it could lead to political disappointment, noting, “He has lost substantial people, probably sixty to seventy per cent, from his political family.”

On the possibility of an alliance between Atiku and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Bwala expressed scepticism and described it as potentially damaging for Obi.

“Peter Obi will be making the biggest mistake of his life to now come together under the agreement that he will be a running mate because all of the people you are hearing ‘Obidient’ had only one contract with Peter Obi—that he will run for president,” he said.

According to him, Obi risks losing his support base if he agrees to play a secondary role.

“The minute Peter Obi drops the idea of running for president himself, I can guarantee you he will lose the majority of the people that are following him,” Bwala warned, adding that Obi himself “may not be comfortable in that arrangement.”

Obi previously ran alongside Atiku as his running mate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 election before launching his own presidential bid in 2023.

Bwala also dismissed current efforts to form a political coalition ahead of the 2027 election cycle, claiming it lacks traction due to President Tinubu’s expanding influence.
“Those who are close watchers of events and activities and are not moved by emotions will see signs that indicate the coalition is dead on arrival. Governors on the platforms of their parties are joining us; senators are joining us,” he said.

“President Bola Tinubu may not be perfect; he may make mistakes, but one fact is clear: his head and his heart are right. There is no politician alive today who has the political gravitas to gather people as much as President Bola Tinubu. We are not bothered.”