Atiku's Camp Reacts to Presidency's Call for Ex-VP's Retirement: "You're Scared of 2027 Coalition"

• Atiku Abubakar’s camp has criticised Daniel Bwala’s call for former vice president to retire ahead of the 2027 election
• The Media Office claims the ruling party is nervous about the growing opposition coalition led by Atiku, aiming to address Nigeria's economic and democratic challenges
• Atiku’s camp defends his political legacy, describing him as the most formidable opposition leader, with the coalition he’s forming posing a significant threat to the ruling party

The Media Office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to comments made by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication.

Bwala had criticised Atiku’s ongoing involvement in national politics, suggesting it was time for him to retire.

The statement, released on Tuesday, May 6, condemned Bwala’s remarks as “disparaging” and “hypocritical,” accusing him of trying to curry favour with a struggling administration.

“It is both ironic and pathetic that Mr. Bwala – a political turncoat – now presumes to lecture a statesman of global standing on matters of legacy and destiny,” the Media Office said.

The statement described Bwala’s comments as an attempt to undermine Atiku’s political stature, labelling them as motivated by bitterness and a desperate need to gain political favour with the ruling administration, Nigerian Tribune reported.

Atiku’s camp claims presidency is panicking over coalition

Atiku’s camp insists that the recent attacks from Tinubu’s aides are a sign of the ruling party’s unease regarding the opposition coalition reportedly being formed by Atiku and other progressive leaders.

According to the Media Office, the coalition aims to address Nigeria’s economic collapse, institutional failures, and democratic erosion.

The statement questioned why the presidency continues to launch attacks against Atiku if they truly believed he was politically irrelevant.

“If the administration truly thinks Atiku is a non-factor, why the relentless smear campaign?” the statement read.

Atiku’s political legacy defended as a "formidable" opposition force

The Media Office further claimed that Atiku remains the single most formidable opposition figure in Nigeria and that the coalition he is building poses a significant threat to the ruling party.

“This obsession with Atiku’s political future is no coincidence,” they asserted.

The statement portrayed Atiku as a consistent advocate for national unity, reform, and democracy since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999, Vanguard reported.

The media office also dismissed Bwala’s credentials, stating that any political relevance he now holds comes solely from his past association with Atiku’s 2023 presidential campaign.

Political tension rises ahead of 2027 elections

While the presidency has yet to respond officially to the statement from Atiku’s Media Office, this back-and-forth highlights the growing political tension in Nigeria as the 2027 general elections approach.

Opposition leaders are signalling their intent to form a united front to challenge the APC-led government, with Atiku emerging as a key figure in this new coalition.

PDP bigwig slams Bwala over Atiku retirement remarks

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), David Itopa, has fired back at Daniel Bwala over his recent call for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to retire from politics.

Speaking with Legit.ng on Sunday, May 11, Itopa described Bwala’s remarks as "an embarrassing display of political amnesia and sycophancy."

“Bwala was praising Atiku not too long ago when it suited his ambitions. Now, because he serves in Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet, he suddenly considers Atiku unworthy of political relevance. Nigerians are not fools,” Itopa said.

He accused Bwala of “biting the very hand that once gave him a platform” and noted that Atiku remains “a towering figure whose influence cannot be wished away by presidential aides desperate for attention.”

“Instead of addressing Nigeria’s mounting challenges, Bwala and his likes are obsessed with Atiku. That alone tells you who they really fear ahead of 2027,” he added.

“Atiku is on his way out of the PDP” - Okowa

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, Atiku Abubakar, was allegedly on his way out of the PDP.

The former Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was Atiku's running mate in 2023, said the former vice president would soon leave the PDP.

Okowa said he regretted being Atiku's running mate in 2023 and explained the reason he accepted the VP ticket.

Source: Legit.ng