Never Say Die: Atiku’s powerful in-laws, friends and business networks

One of Atiku’s most enduring relationships is with his first wife, Titilayo, a Yoruba woman from Ondo State in the South West. They have been married for 55 years and together have four children – Fatima, Adamu, Halima, and Aminu.  

Of his wives, Titi is the most dominant face on Atiku’s campaign train while also mobilising women’s support over the years.  

When Titi marked her 75th birthday in 2025, Atiku described her as his backbone and confidant, saying: “I don’t think I could have married a better wife because she tolerated all my shortcomings. She has been patient with me – I married number two, I married number three, I married number four … she’s still patient.”  

Their first child, Dr Fatima Atiku-Abubakar, a medical doctor, has followed her father into politics. She served as Adamawa State commissioner for health between 2015 and 2019 and sits on the Governing Council of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), founded by her father. She recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party Atiku formally defected to in November last year as he renews his presidential push.    

Aliyu – Atiku’s third child from his second wife, Princess Rukaiya – is married to Fatima Ribadu, daughter of Nuhu Ribadu, an ally of President Tinubu, who currently serves as the national security adviser. He was the pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime.

Though currently not politically aligned, Atiku and Ribadu (a former presidential candidate and possibly future president) maintain a respectful relationship, different from their past fierce rivalry before they became in-laws.

The Portuguese investor with whom Atiku co-founded the animal feeds company Rico Gardo Nigeria in 2015 as a joint venture.

While former president Obasanjo’s relationship with Atiku has been bittersweet, he has often found common cause with him when President Tinubu is in the equation. Over the years, Atiku has consistently sought Obasanjo’s counsel and endorsement for his presidential ambition. What Obasanjo brings is not necessarily grassroots machinery, but his association and backing significantly bolster Atiku’s national stature and international outlook.