By Sunday Apah
Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has officially abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), committing himself to championing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027.
The defection announcement, made on Thursday at the National Assembly in Abuja, is widely perceived within political circles as a symbolic setback to Atiku’s presidential aspirations and a strategic triumph strengthening the APC’s foothold, especially in the North-East region.
Known popularly as “Abba,” Atiku’s younger son was ceremoniously received by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside prominent APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone, an occasion the party hailed as a pivotal political realignment.
In his address to party officials and supporters, Abubakar formally renounced his membership in the PDP, expressing full allegiance to the APC. He described his defection as both historic and deeply personal.
He instructed all coordinators and members of his political network—previously operating under the Haske Atiku Organisation, which he established in 2022—to promptly join the APC and mobilize support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, popularly known as Abba. Today, I formally announce my departure from the PDP—the party where we campaigned in 2023—and my commitment to the APC,” he declared.
“After closely observing the exemplary leadership of His Excellency, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, I have resolved to support the re-election ambitions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. Consequently, I call upon all coordinators of my association to integrate into the APC and dedicate themselves to advancing President Tinubu’s agenda.”
APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, welcomed Abubakar, describing the defection as a profound and far-reaching development that signals a new era of “politics without borders.”
“Today marks a joyous milestone,” Salihu remarked. “We are transcending old social and political divisions. This young man has assessed the policies and initiatives of the Tinubu administration and chosen to align with them.”
He emphasized that the APC’s commitment lies in ideology and policy direction rather than personal gain, assuring Abba of equal rights and opportunities within the party.
**Ex-APC Aspirant Cautions Against Overcelebrating Defection of Atiku’s Son**
Senator Barau Jibrin praised Abubakar’s decision as courageous, enlightened, and principled, pledging unwavering support from APC leadership.
“You have arrived here driven by conviction, not familial ties. Your allegiance is to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his principles, and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Barau affirmed.
He disclosed that Abba, who had been closely monitoring Nigerian politics from the United States, was inspired by the Tinubu administration’s reforms and outreach, prompting his return and allegiance to the ruling party.
“He embodies the focused, young leadership Nigeria urgently requires,” Barau added.
Additionally, presidential aide Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi assured Abubakar of President Tinubu’s endorsement and support.
“Just as Atiku is your father, so is Tinubu. Your decision signals a return to your rightful home. Both you and your coordinators have a promising future within the APC,” Abdullahi stated.
Speaking for the defectors, Kano State Coordinator Mubarak Musa called the move strategic, noting that all their political undertakings would henceforth operate under Senator Barau’s guidance.
“We committed tremendous effort to our previous platform. Now, we’ll redouble our dedication to deliver for the APC in 2027,” Musa asserted.
He hailed Senator Barau as their political mentor and a cornerstone of the APC in the North.
The event culminated with the renaming of Abubakar’s political network from Haske Atiku Organisation to Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, underscoring a total political realignment and emphatic endorsement of President Tinubu’s second-term pursuit ahead of 2027.
