Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to work for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
The development comes amid renewed permutations ahead of the next general election, with Atiku Abubakar—who contested against Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election—widely regarded as one of the leading opposition figures expected to seek the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Popularly known as Abba, the younger Atiku was received into the APC on Thursday at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key party leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone. Party officials described the defection as a significant boost to the APC’s consolidation efforts ahead of 2027.
Speaking at the event, Abba announced his formal exit from his former party, declaring full alignment with the APC and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also directed members and coordinators of his political structure, founded in 2022 and formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, to join the APC and support Tinubu’s second-term 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 what he described as the leadership qualities of Senator Barau Jibrin and the policy direction of the Tinubu administration. “With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Abba added.
Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, saying it reflected “politics without borders.” According to Salihu, Abba’s decision underscored confidence in the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.
Senator Barau, in his remarks, congratulated Abba for what he called a “bold, wise and principled decision,” stressing that the move was driven by ideology rather than family considerations.
He disclosed that Abba, who had been following political developments from the United States, was impressed by the administration’s reforms and outreach initiatives.
A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured the new entrant of the President’s acceptance and support, describing the defection as a return “home.”
Reacting to the development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said his son’s decision was purely personal and consistent with democratic principles. In a statement issued via his X handle on Thursday, Atiku maintained that political choices, even within families, should be guided by conscience and free will.
He, however, used the occasion to criticise the APC-led administration, expressing concern over what he described as poor governance and the economic and social hardships facing Nigerians.
Reaffirming his own political resolve, Atiku said he remained committed to working with like-minded Nigerians to offer a credible alternative focused on good governance, relief, hope and national progress, regardless of his son’s new political affiliation.
