Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has assured that the Yoruba people will occupy a central place in his administration’s policies if elected president in 2027.
In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday by his media consultant, Kola Johnson, Atiku dismissed fears that his presidency might lead to Hausa/Fulani domination over the Yoruba or any other ethnic group.
“The entire Yoruba stock is my extended family and in-laws,” Atiku declared, stressing that his personal and marital ties to the Yoruba people make such concerns unfounded.
Citing his marriage to Titi, an Ijesha-born Yoruba woman whom he married in the 1970s, Atiku highlighted his deep-rooted connection to the South-West. “We have four children together, and she is now over 75 years old. My children sometimes call me ‘Baba Rere,’ meaning good father. The Yoruba have always occupied a special place in my heart,” he said.
He further described Titi as his “Jewel of Inestimable Value,” noting that his closest friends and political allies have always included prominent Yoruba figures.
Atiku stressed that his administration, if elected, would prioritize Yoruba interest in policy decisions. “By the special grace of Allah, if I am elected president in 2027, the interest of the Yoruba will always be given topmost attention in my policymaking and governance,” he assured.
He also emphasized his reputation as a detribalised Nigerian, saying, “Even before politics, I related freely with people of diverse tribes, ethnicities, and religions. Anyone who knows me will attest to this.”
Atiku, who came second in the 2023 general election won by President Bola Tinubu, is once again positioning himself as a major challenger ahead of the 2027 polls.