Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged that the Yoruba people will “occupy a topmost place” in his policies and administration if elected president in 2027.
Atiku dismissed fears that his presidency would result in Hausa or Fulani dominance over other ethnic groups, describing such concerns as baseless and rooted in political mischief. “The entire Yoruba stock is my larger extended family and in-laws,” he declared in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his media consultant, Kola Johnson.
The former vice president emphasized that his personal and marital ties to the Yoruba people form a solid foundation for his political vision. He noted that these relationships prove his inclusive nature and commitment to national unity.
“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.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar
South-West To Feature In Key Policies
Atiku promised that the South-West region would remain central to 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,” he said.
He stressed that speculation about Hausa/Fulani domination was “absolutely unfounded,” insisting that his long-standing ties with Yoruba people make such claims implausible.
“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.
“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.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar
He also described his wife as his “Jewel of Inestimable Value,” highlighting that Yoruba friends and political allies have always stood by him throughout his career.
Tribal Politics Still Shape Elections
Atiku, who was first runner-up in the last general election won by President Bola Tinubu, remains a key contender ahead of the 2027 poll. His latest remarks come against the backdrop of an enduring debate about ethnicity in Nigeria’s political landscape.
A detailed study published in 2025 titled “Ethnicity and Political Behaviour During Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential Election” reinforces how deeply ethnic identity shapes political outcomes. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the research confirmed that ethnicity is still a decisive force in Nigerian politics.
The report warns that ethnic-driven campaigns undermine national unity and risk fueling exclusion and violence. It recommends enforcing laws to penalize politicians who exploit ethnicity for votes. The findings highlight the dual nature of ethnicity as both a mobilization tool and a destabilizing factor in Nigerian democracy.
Other analyses echo these concerns, pointing to historical grievances and competition for scarce resources as drivers of tribal politics. These dynamics, experts argue, continue to inflame ethnic tensions and hinder governance.
As Atiku prepares for another attempt at the presidency, his public emphasis on Yoruba interests reflects not only a personal bond but also an acute awareness of how deeply ethnicity influences voter loyalty and political mobilization in Nigeria. Whether his assurances will ease longstanding fears or further ignite debates about identity and leadership remains to be seen.
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