With Atiku on the ballot, Tinubu won’t even need to check scoreboard on election day – Bwala

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, has downplayed ongoing opposition coalition efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, while also criticising former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In a post on his X handle on Thursday, Bwala took a swipe at Atiku over his recent comment in which he said President Tinubu would be “dead on arrival” if confronted by a coalition-backed presidential candidate.

Bwala mocked the statement, describing it as political rhetoric, and suggested that the opposition camp is overstating its strength as it continues to build alliances ahead of the next general election.

“My former boss Atiku Abubakar said ‘with a coalition candidate, President Tinubu is dead on arrival. Lol,’” Bwala wrote.

He argued that Atiku himself was effectively the coalition candidate in the 2023 presidential election but still lost despite having significant political backing.

“But we know you are the coalition candidate YET (no vex sir), he defeated you in 2023 when you had governors, states, and structures. These governors, states and structures are with him,” Bwala stated.

The presidential aide further dismissed the strength of any emerging opposition alliance, describing its members as “aggrieved ‘stateless’ leaders” and suggesting that President Tinubu would not consider them a serious threat.

“With a coalition of aggrieved ‘STATELESS’ leaders, I doubt if President Tinubu would bother to check the scoreboard on the day,” he added.

Bwala’s remarks come amid renewed political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On Wednesday, SaharaReporters reported that Atiku said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would prioritise a consensus arrangement in selecting its presidential candidate, but may resort to direct primaries if internal negotiations fail.

Speaking on a Prime Time programme on Arise TV, Atiku said party leaders were committed to avoiding internal crises by first pursuing consensus.

“As far as the party is concerned, we will aim at consensus. If we don’t get it, then we move to an election. I don’t expect it to get to that level because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he said.

He added that stakeholders share a common goal of “saving democracy” and expressed confidence that disagreements within the party would be resolved without conflict.

Atiku also reiterated his willingness to step aside for any candidate that emerges through a transparent process, including former Anambra State governor Peter Obi.

“I will step aside for any winner. If he is a contender, why not?” he said.

Atiku also described Tinubu’s administration as the worst he has witnessed in his lifetime.

“Everything is wrong with President Bola Tinubu,” Atiku said bluntly. “Honestly, perhaps in my life, this is the worst administration I have seen in this country.”

Pressed to provide specifics, Atiku expressed deep disappointment, particularly with the government’s handling of the economy.

“I feel terribly disappointed. Economically and otherwise, I feel disappointed,” he said.

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