In a move that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and openly pledged support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The defection, which took place on Thursday at the National Assembly, is being viewed as one of the most symbolically significant cross-party shifts ahead of the next election cycle, given Atiku Abubakar’s status as one of the most formidable opposition figures in the country.
Popularly known as Abba, the younger Atiku formally announced his resignation from the PDP at an event hosted by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, in the presence of key APC leaders from the North-East.
“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 of Senator Barau and the policy direction of the Tinubu administration, adding that he was convinced by the President’s reform agenda.
Following his defection, Abba went a step further by declaring his intention to actively mobilise support for Tinubu’s second term, a stance that places him politically at odds with his father’s long-standing presidential ambition.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, come 2027,” he said.
“To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu.”
He also announced the dissolution of his political platform, the Haske Atiku Organisation, and its full integration into the APC, later renaming it the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation to reflect its new political allegiance.
Reacting, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as both symbolic and strategic, saying it underscored the party’s growing appeal beyond traditional political lines.
“Today is one of my happiest days. We are looking beyond old social and political cleavages.
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 status within the party.
Welcoming him, Senator Barau said the decision was rooted in ideology rather than family considerations.
“You have taken a decision based on ideology. 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,” the Deputy Senate President said.
Barau added that Abba, who had been observing Nigeria’s political developments from the United States, was persuaded by the administration’s reforms, describing him as “young, focused and determined to contribute to shaping the future of the country.”
Also speaking, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, said the move symbolised political reconciliation and realignment, noting that Abba and his supporters had a future in the APC.
On behalf of the defecting group, Kano State Coordinator, Hon. Mubarak Musa, said their political structure would now be fully deployed for the APC ahead of 2027, pledging to “double efforts” to deliver electoral victories for the party in the North.
The defection is expected to fuel debate within opposition ranks and further sharpen political alignments as parties begin early manoeuvring towards the 2027 general elections.
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