Atiku has pledged that the Yoruba will occupy top positions in his prospective 2027 administration and insisted fears of Hausa-Fulani dominance are “absolutely unfounded.”
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader Alhaji Abubakar Atiku said on Friday that if elected in 2027, he would ensure Yoruba citizens “always occupy a topmost place in my policy making and governance.”
He framed this promise against criticisms that his presidency would spawn Hausa-Fulani dominance, saying such concerns are baseless since he regards Yorubas “as my larger extended family and in-laws.”
Atiku also spoke about his marriage, describing his Yoruba wife, Titi—whom he called “a jewel of inestimable value”—as a binding link to the Yoruba people. He noted: “It is for this reason that the interest of the Yoruba will always occupy a topmost place … if by the special Grace of Allah, I am lucky to be president in 2027.”
He further painted himself as a detribalised politician, saying: “Anyone who knows me will tell you … 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 … Call it a statesman if you would not mind.”