Atiku Abubakar Assures Yoruba Interests Will Top His Agenda If Elected President in 2027

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged that the interests of the Yoruba will “occupy a topmost place” in his administration’s policies if elected President in 2027.

Atiku dismissed as baseless the narrative that his presidency could lead to Hausa-Fulani domination over the Yoruba or any other ethnic group. “The entire Yoruba stock is my larger extended family and in-laws” he declared in a statement on Thursday issued in Abuja by his media consultant, Kola Johnson.

The former vice president explained that his marital and personal ties to the Yoruba made such fears unfounded. “I count myself extremely lucky indeed to have had a wife from amongst this noble species of the human race, which by this token implies that the bond uniting me together with the Yoruba is aptly like the genetic bond of a family. This is why the Yoruba, whether individually or collectively, have always occupied a special place in my heart” he said.

He further assured that if elected, the South-West would play a central role in his policymaking. “It is also for this reason that the interest of the Yorubas will always occupy a topmost place in my policymaking and governance if, by the special grace of Allah, I am lucky to be president in 2027. Therefore, the fear that my ascension to presidency might lead to Hausa-Fulani domination over Yorubas or other ethnic groups does not only arise but is absolutely unfounded” Atiku stated.

Citing his first marriage as proof of his deep-rooted ties, Atiku recalled that in the 1970s he married Titi, an Ijesha-born Yoruba woman with whom he shares four children. “In case you don’t know or have forgotten, I was married to my first wife, Titi, a Yoruba woman, in the 70s and we have four Yoruba children together. She is now over 75 years old and we are still together. My children with Titi sometimes call me ‘Baba Rere,’ meaning good father. I am extremely in love with my children and serve as a good father to them, as I urge every father to do the same” he said.

Atiku described Titi as his “Jewel of Inestimable Value” and added that Yoruba people have always been among his closest friends and political allies. He also emphasized his detribalised nature. “Anyone who knows me will tell you with all sincerity that, as a person, I am naturally a highly detribalised person. Even before I could ever venture into politics, I flowed easily and effortlessly with people of diverse tribes, ethnicity, religion and whatever sectarian differences” he said.

Atiku, a long-time presidential hopeful and first runner-up in the 2023 general election, is seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential poll.