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I’ll protect Yoruba’s interest if elected president – Atiku

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged that the interest of the Yoruba will “occupy a topmost place” in his administration’s policies if elected President in 2027.

He described as unfounded the narrative or fear that his presidency, if elected, “might lead to Hausa/Fulani domination over Yoruba or other ethnic groups.”

“The entire Yoruba stock is my larger extended family and in-laws,” Atiku stated in a statement on Thursday issued in Abuja by his media consultant, Kola Johnson.

The ex-vice president stressed that his marital and personal ties to the Yoruba made such fears baseless.

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.”

He promised that if elected, the South-West would be 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.

“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 stated.

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The former vice president cited his first marriage to Titi, an Ijesha-born Yoruba woman, whom he married in the 1970s, as proof of his deep-rooted connection to the South-West.

“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,” Atiku declared.

“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.”

He described his Ijesha-born wife as his “Jewel of Inestimable Value” and insisted that the Yoruba had always been among his closest friends and political allies.

“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,” Atiku added.

Atiku, a long-time presidential hopeful, is seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential poll.

He was first runner-up in the last general election, which Tinubu won.

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Reforms are working – Akpabio champions Tinubu 2027 re-election

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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has begun making a fresh case for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, urging Northern youths to support the administration’s economic reforms and policy continuity.

Akpabio made the appeal on Saturday while receiving a high-level delegation of the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly in Abuja.

He said the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms, were painful but necessary measures to reposition the economy.

According to him, the policies have now crossed a critical threshold and are beginning to produce tangible benefits for Nigerians.

“I stand before you not merely as a politician, but as a public servant committed to the prosperity of our nation, and particularly this vital region,” Akpabio told the youth leaders.

“The reforms initiated by President Tinubu are not abstract theories; they are concrete, courageous actions designed to dismantle long-standing structural bottlenecks and unlock Nigeria’s vast potential.”

The Senate President said the removal of the fuel subsidy and efforts to stabilise the foreign exchange market were necessary steps towards achieving fiscal sustainability.

He acknowledged that the measures initially imposed difficulties on Nigerians but argued that they were required to redirect government resources to critical sectors.

“While these measures initially posed challenges, they were the surgical procedures needed to redirect resources into healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” he said.

Akpabio also claimed that the reforms were producing early positive indicators, including improved revenue collection, increased investor confidence and renewed interest from international partners.

He urged Northern youths to become active participants in governance rather than waiting for the future before taking responsibility.

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“You are architects of today, not just leaders of tomorrow,” he told the delegation.

He said the 10th National Assembly was prioritising reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

“Your innovation and engagement are the lifeblood of these reforms,” Akpabio said.

“We urge you to be critical consumers of information and to engage in constructive dialogue.”

The Senate President’s comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum across the country.

His appeal also places policy continuity at the centre of the argument for another Tinubu term.

Akpabio argued that abandoning the current reform programme before its consolidation could undermine the gains being recorded.

On his part,The group’s spokesperson of the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, commended Akpabio for what he described as efforts to strengthen political understanding between the North and South.

“We commend the Senate President for his accessibility and his unwavering dedication to the Nigerian project,” Dan-Musa said.

“His proactive engagement has rebuilt vital bridges of trust. He has proven that true national leadership transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries.”

The coalition also pledged to mobilise at the grassroots to educate Nigerians on what it described as the long-term benefits of the Federal Government’s economic policies.

Dan-Musa said national unity must remain above regional demands and sectional interests.

“National unity is the ultimate anchor of our collective survival.

“No regional sentiment can take precedence over the sovereignty and peace of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”,he said .

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Meanwhile,the assembly identified three key areas for its political engagement ahead of 2027.

They include continuous consultation with Northern youth structures, grassroots enlightenment on federal fiscal policies and an uncompromising commitment to national cohesion.

The coalition said federal leadership must maintain mutual respect and transparent consultation with Northern youth organisations.

It also pledged to embark on awareness campaigns aimed at explaining the government’s economic policies to rural communities.

The group said such engagement was necessary to address misinformation and help Nigerians understand the implications of the reforms.

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2027: No presidential candidate including Peter Obi can improve Nigeria – Datti Baba-Ahmed

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Former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has disclosed that none of the candidates running for the presidency in 2027 can improve Nigeria.

Datti expressed this opinion during an interview on Mic On Podcast.

Making reference to his former principal, Peter Obi, Datti said the now NDC presidential candidate left his comfort zone when he abandoned the Labour Party.

He said: “None of the people contesting will improve Nigeria, including Peter Obi. Peter Obi left his comfort zone; he was adopted as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party as far back as 2024.

“When he was going to join ADC, I had to go to Yar’Adua Centre ahead of him, called him aside, and they were worried: why is Datti calling Obi aside?

“I told him that this is the last time that I’m coming to this place, but I want to tell you that this is not a place for you. Was I proven wrong? I was proven right, and within four months, Obi left ADC.

“I don’t like people who contradict themselves, and I don’t want to go into criticising the politics of Atiku because that’s not what I’m about.”

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2027: They’re looking for any means to eliminate Peter Obi, Atiku – Primate Ayodele

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The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has alleged that some unnamed persons are looking for any means to eliminate former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In a video posted on X, Ayodele warned the two politicians to be conscious of their security.

While he did not name those he alleged were plotting to eliminate Obi and Atiku, the cleric said God would not allow it to happen.

“Obi and Atiku, be very conscious of your security. They are looking for any means to eliminate Obi and Atiku.

“But God will never allow it to happen. Watch out and be cautious of your security,” he warned.

It was reports that while Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Peter Obi is the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 polls.

The cleric also urged President Bola Tinubu not to visit the United States, alleging that America was after his downfall.

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