Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to prioritize the protection of the Yoruba community, dismissing concerns that his election could lead to the domination of other ethnic groups by the Hausa/Fulani.
In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja through his media consultant, Kola Johnson, Atiku highlighted his longstanding personal and family ties to the Southwest region, emphasizing that the Yoruba people are essentially his extended family and in-laws.
As he seeks support from the Yoruba and other ethnic groups for the 2027 presidential election, Atiku assured them of his unwavering commitment if elected. He said,
“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.
“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.”
Addressing fears of ethnic domination, Atiku further stated,
“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 also is absolutely unfounded because the entire Yoruba stock is my larger extended family and in-laws.”
He recounted his family ties, saying,
“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 to their children.”
On his inclusive nature, Atiku added,
“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.”
