Reuben Abati criticises Atiku Abubakar for playing the ethnic card, urging focus on national issues ahead of the 2027 elections
Reuben Abati criticises Atiku Abubakar over what he describes as an “unfortunate” ethnic remark aimed at appealing to Yoruba voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, the veteran journalist and former presidential aide accused the former Vice President of reducing politics to ethnicity at a time when Nigerians demand serious leadership.
Atiku had stated that Yoruba people should not fear his potential presidency because he is married to a Yoruba woman from Ijesha and has children with her.
Abati strongly disagreed with this approach, noting that a politician of Atiku’s stature should speak on pressing national concerns, not on family ties or ethnic affiliations.
“To start with, that ethnic card should not work. It must not work.
Nigerians want leaders to address serious problems, not where they married from,” Abati said.
He explained that the electorate expects presidential candidates to tackle issues such as oil theft, the operations of NNPC Limited, insurgency, terrorism, and misuse of state resources—not indulge in identity politics.
“What Nigerians want is not a president talking about his origin or his marriage.
The real concern is what he plans to do for Nigeria.”
Abati also pointed out that Yoruba people have already produced two presidents in the Fourth Republic—Olusegun Obasanjo and Bola Ahmed Tinubu—making Atiku’s appeal unnecessary and out of touch.
“Yoruba people have had Obasanjo and Tinubu as presidents.
They are already well represented in Nigerian politics,” he added.
Abati’s remarks appear to reflect broader frustrations with elite-level politics ahead of the 2027 elections, especially as citizens demand solutions to mounting economic, security, and governance challenges.
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By cautioning against divisive identity narratives, Abati reaffirmed the need for issue-based campaigns and national cohesion.
