Atiku Abubakar’s son defects to APC, backs Tinubu’s 2027 re-election

By Johnson Arua

Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to work for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

The move has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly within the camp of the former Vice President.

Popularly known as “Abba,” the younger Atiku was formally received on Thursday at the National Assembly by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), alongside APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.

The event marked his official entry into the ruling party after his resignation from the PDP.

Speaking at the gathering, Abba described his defection as both historic and personal, announcing his full alignment with the APC.

He also directed all coordinators and members of his political organisation, founded in 2022 and formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, to immediately join the APC and support 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 and my decision to join the APC,” he said. Abba added that he would work closely with Senator Barau to actualise President Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027, citing what he described as the outstanding leadership qualities within the APC.

Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching.

He said it reflected “politics without borders,” noting that the APC remained a progressive party driven by ideology and policy rather than personal ambition, while assuring the new entrant of equal rights and privileges.

In his remarks, Senator Barau congratulated Abba on what he described as a bold, wise and principled decision, assuring him and his supporters of maximum support within the party.

Barau disclosed that Abba, who had been following political developments from the United States, was impressed by the Tinubu administration’s reforms and outreach, which influenced his decision to return home and join the APC.

Also speaking, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance and support, describing his decision as a return home.

On behalf of the group, Kano State Coordinator, Hon. Mubarak Musa, said their political activities would now be coordinated through Senator Barau, announcing the renaming of the Haske Atiku Organisation to the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation in a complete realignment ahead of the 2027 general election.