Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has advised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to accept that becoming president may not be part of his destiny.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Monday, Bwala urged Abubakar to recognise “the will of God” and instead collaborate with President Tinubu to help build the country.

“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.”

The presidential adviser suggested that Abubakar could still create a lasting legacy by working with Tinubu, a longtime political associate, rather than continuing to seek the presidency himself.

“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 advised.

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 Abubakar persists in his presidential ambitions, “his political ending might not be as palatable as he’s thinking.”

According to Bwala, Abubakar has already lost “substantial people, probably 60 to 70 percent” from his political camp, with younger politicians who once supported him now seeking power on their own terms.

The comments come amid ongoing defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with rumours suggesting that some opposition governors may soon join the ruling party.

In March, Abubakar indicated uncertainty about contesting the 2027 presidential election, saying that he would need a “viable platform” to do so. (BusinessDay)