Atiku Affirms Yoruba Ties Ahead of 2027, Says They are Like Family

Atiku Affirms Yoruba Ties Ahead of 2027, Says They Are Like Family

 

 

 

Former Vice President and leading ADC presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has stressed his deep personal and familial connection with the Yoruba people, dismissing fears of ethnic domination under his potential presidency.

 

In a statement issued by his media aide, Kola Johnson, Atiku described the Yoruba as “one of the finest peoples,” noting that his marriage to a Yoruba woman has permanently bound him to the ethnic group.

 

“I count myself extremely lucky to have had a wife from this noble people. By that token, the bond uniting me with the Yoruba is like a family bond. That is why the Yoruba, individually and collectively, have always held a special place in my heart,” he said.

 

Atiku recalled that his first wife, Titi, hails from Ijesha in Osun State. “We married in the 1970s and have four Yoruba children together. My children sometimes call me ‘Baba Rere’ meaning good father. I am extremely in love with my children and have always sought to be a good father,” he said.

 

The former Vice President emphasized that his political philosophy has always transcended ethnic lines. “Even before politics, I related effortlessly with people of different tribes, ethnicities, and religions. When I joined politics, I adopted a statesmanlike approach that goes beyond tribal boundaries,” he said.

 

Describing his wife as his “jewel of inestimable value,” Atiku added: “She is more than a wife. Anyone who knows my family can testify to this. That is why, both privately and publicly, Yorubas rank among my closest friends and associates.”

 

He praised the Yoruba for their education, sophistication, and resilience. “Yorubas are so educated and sophisticated that one can only engage them with utmost respect,” he said.

 

On the 2027 elections, Atiku assured that Yoruba interests would remain central to his administration. “The fear that my presidency could lead to Hausa/Fulani domination over the Yoruba or any other group is entirely unfounded. The Yoruba are my extended family and in-laws,” he declared.

 

He concluded: “I see the Yoruba region not just as a home, but as an extension of my family. My marriage to a Yoruba woman has endeared the people to me. That is why I say again, without hesitation Yorubas are my in-laws.”