Nigeria’s political space was rattled on Thursday as Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, pledging total loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
The defection was announced at the National Assembly, where Abba, popularly known as “Abba,” was warmly received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside top APC leaders from the North-East.
Declaring his exit from the PDP, Abba described his move as personal, bold and historic, directing all members of his political structure to immediately follow him into the APC and mobilise for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“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 the leadership style of Senator Barau Jibrin and what he described as the impressive performance of the Tinubu administration.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. To this effect, I am directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu,” he added.
Welcoming him into the party, APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, hailed the defection as symbolic and far-reaching.
“Today is one of my happiest days. 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 in the APC.
Senator Barau described the move as bold, wise and principled, insisting it was driven by conviction, not family ties.
“You have taken a decision based on ideology. You did not 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.
He revealed that Abba, who had been observing developments from the United States, was convinced by Tinubu’s reforms and outreach, prompting his return to Nigeria to join the APC.
A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance, declaring, “Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father. Your decision is like returning home.”
Speaking for the group, Kano State Coordinator of the organisation, Hon. Mubarak Musa, vowed total commitment to the APC.
“We have worked round the clock for our former platform. We will double our efforts and deliver for the APC in 2027,” Musa said.
In a symbolic final move, Abba’s political structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation, was officially renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, sealing a complete political realignment ahead of the 2027 general election.
