Yorubas Will Get Topmost Place” in Policy Making if I’m Elected President, Promises Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged that the Yoruba people will occupy a prominent role in national policy making should he succeed in his renewed bid for the Nigerian presidency.

Atiku, who is positioning himself for the 2027 race under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks while addressing supporters, stressing his longstanding ties with the Yoruba community.

He recalled that his first wife, Titi Abubakar, is Yoruba and noted that his family connections have given him a deep affinity with the region.

“I regard the Yoruba as extended family and in-laws,” Atiku said. “If I become president, they will hold a top place in my policy decisions.”

He dismissed concerns of ethnic domination by the Hausa-Fulani, assuring that Yoruba interests would always be safeguarded under his administration. According to him, their voices would be “central in shaping the nation’s future” through appointments and key advisory roles.

The former vice president also underscored that his broader leadership vision would continue to be guided by merit and the federal character principle enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, ensuring that all parts of the country remain represented.

Analysts view the statement as part of Atiku’s outreach to the South-West, a region whose support is considered pivotal in any presidential election.

However, some critics warn that promising “topmost” consideration for one ethnic group could inflame long-standing sensitivities over equity and inclusion in Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangements.

Atiku has previously advocated for constitutional reforms to rotate the presidency among the six geopolitical zones, a move he argues would deepen national unity.

His latest remarks, however, have placed Yoruba participation at the center of his 2027 campaign messaging.