Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, has said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar would again be defeated by the ruling party if he contests the 2027 presidential election. Bwala's remarks followed comments made by Abubakar during an appearance on Arise TV on Wednesday, where the former vice-president declared his intention to make the 2027 race his final bid for the presidency.
Abubakar, who has pursued the presidency multiple times, reiterated his belief that a united opposition front could unseat the incumbent administration. He has appeared on the ballot in 2007, 2019, and 2023.
During the interview, the former vice-president expressed strong confidence in the prospects of a coalition being built around the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“With a coalition candidate, the President is dead on arrival. Everything is wrong with Tinubu. I’ve not seen a government that is as bad as that of Tinubu,” he said.
He also criticised the administration’s handling of the economy and governance, adding, “Tinubu has been a very bad president, to be honest with you. I didn’t expect that from him… the way he governs the country, whether economically or otherwise, it’s a disappointment.”
Reacting in a post on X later on Wednesday, Bwala dismissed Abubakar’s claims and downplayed the strength of the emerging opposition coalition.
“My former boss @atiku said ‘with a coalition candidate, President Tinubu @officialABAT is dead on arrival.’ Lol,” Bwala wrote.
He argued that Abubakar is likely to emerge as the coalition’s presidential candidate but lacks the political leverage to defeat Tinubu, citing the outcome of the 2023 election.
“But we know you are the coalition candidate YET (no vex sir), he defeated you in 2023 when you had governors, states, and structures,” he added.
Bwala further described the coalition as weak and fragmented, stating: “These governors, states and structures are with him. With a coalition of aggrieved ‘STATELESS’ leaders, I doubt if President Tinubu would bother to check the scoreboard on the day.”
