Akande urges Atiku to sacrifice presidential ambition for 2027 opposition unity

Former presidential aide Laolu Akande has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to prioritise opposition unity over his presidential ambition, citing President Bola Tinubu’s ability to overcome alleged marginalisation within the All Progressives Congress (APC) before becoming president.

Akande said Tinubu remained in the party despite what he described as attempts by influential figures in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to diminish his political influence between 2015 and 2023.

Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, the former senior media aide to ex-Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said he witnessed instances in which Tinubu was allegedly sidelined during meetings.

“What did they not do against Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Tell me, what did they not do? Even between 2015 and 2023, the man was marginalised. I saw him with my korokoro eyes,” Akande said.

He added, “I sat in meetings where they put Bola Ahmed Tinubu behind me.”

According to Akande, Tinubu did not allow the alleged treatment to derail his political ambition. Instead, he remained in the APC and waited for an opportunity to pursue his presidential aspiration.

“He just waited. He bided his time,” he said.

Akande also cited the controversy surrounding the naira redesign policy introduced under Buhari’s administration ahead of the 2023 general election, arguing that Tinubu responded to the political challenges by organising and sustaining his campaign.

The former presidential aide rejected suggestions that the ruling party was solely responsible for the difficulties facing opposition politicians, arguing that political parties seeking power must be able to withstand pressure and build effective strategies.

“I’m not saying it’s right, but this is how they have done it. So, if you are serious as opposition, you must be able to withstand it and rise to the top by doing what has become common sense,” he said.

Turning to the opposition’s preparations for the 2027 general election, Akande identified personal ambition and ego as obstacles to building a united front against Tinubu.

“But to the point, I think it is ego. So, the person that ought to make the move here is Atiku,” he said.

He argued that the former vice-president should be willing to relinquish his personal ambition if doing so would improve the opposition’s chances of defeating the APC.

“Atiku is one that was supposed to say, ‘You know what? We are going to make sure that we get this guy out, and I’m going to sacrifice,’” Akande said.

Akande’s remarks suggest that opposition leaders should draw lessons from Tinubu’s political experience by placing collective objectives above individual interests and remaining prepared to make difficult decisions ahead of the next election.

He also recalled disagreements over ministerial nominations during Buhari’s administration, alleging that individuals Tinubu had recommended were rejected in favour of other candidates.

“Alake was nominated; Edun was nominated. They went to choose the ones that he did not nominate to just make a point that you can’t dictate for us,” he said, referring to current ministers Dele Alake and Wale Edun.

Akande maintained that Tinubu’s decision to remain in the APC despite the alleged setbacks demonstrated the importance of patience and political organisation.

The comments come as political parties and opposition figures position themselves for the 2027 elections, with questions surrounding coalition-building, candidate selection and the ability of opposition leaders to present a united challenge to the ruling party.

Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party, remains a prominent figure in opposition politics.