THE political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election witnessed a significant twist on Thursday as Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
News Point Nigeria reports that the development comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the next presidential race, in which Atiku Abubakar,Tinubu’s main challenger in the 2023 election is expected to seek the presidency again, this time on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Popularly known as Abba, Atiku’s son was officially received into the APC at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside top APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
Party leaders described the defection as a major political boost for the APC’s consolidation drive ahead of 2027.
Speaking at the event, Abba announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he had actively participated in the 2023 campaign, and pledged full allegiance to the APC and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party, where we worked in 2023, and my decision to join the APC,” he said.
He attributed his decision to what he described as the leadership style and political qualities of Senator Barau Jibrin, whom he praised for his role in national governance and party cohesion.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To this effect, I am directing all coordinators and members of my political organisation to immediately align with the APC and work for President Tinubu,” Abba declared.
He further announced the dissolution of his political movement, formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, instructing its members nationwide to join the APC and support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, noting that it reflected what he termed “politics without borders.”
“Today is one of my happiest days. We are looking beyond old social and political divisions. This young man has seen the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and decided to align with them,” Salihu said, assuring Abba of equal rights and opportunities within the party.
In his remarks, Senator Barau Jibrin congratulated Abba for what he described as a “bold, wise and principled decision,” stressing that the move was driven by ideology rather than family ties.
“You didn’t come here because of your father. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his ideology, and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Barau said.
The Deputy Senate President added that Abba, who had been closely monitoring political developments from the United States, was impressed by the reforms and outreach efforts of the Tinubu administration, prompting his decision to return home and join the APC.
Also speaking at the event, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance and support, describing his decision as a “return home.”
“Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father. You and your coordinators have a future in this party,” Abdullahi said.
However, reacting later on Thursday night, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described his son’s defection as a personal choice and insisted it would not affect his own political convictions or aspirations.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal. In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect,” Atiku said in a statement.
He emphasized that he does not interfere in the political choices of his children and reiterated his commitment to offering Nigerians an alternative platform ahead of 2027.
“As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians. What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people,” he added.
Atiku further stated that he remains resolute in working with “like-minded patriots” to restore good governance and provide Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of delivering relief, hope, and progress.