Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has clarified his position on the defection of his son, Abba Abubakar, from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a personal decision.
Atiku spoke after his son publicly pledged to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Abba Abubakar’s defection was formally announced on Thursday at the National Assembly in Abuja, where he was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside other key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone. Party leaders at the event described the development as a major political realignment.
Addressing APC leaders and supporters, Abba, popularly known as “Abba,” announced his resignation from the PDP and declared his decision to join the APC, describing the move as both historic and deeply personal.
He further directed all coordinators and members of his political structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation, which he founded in 2022, to immediately defect to the APC and mobilise support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the event, he said: “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.
“Today, I’m here to formally announce my exit from my former party to the APC following the outstanding leadership style and quality of His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027. To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu.”
Reacting to the development, Atiku Abubakar, in a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, said his son’s decision should not be interpreted as his own political position.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal,” Atiku said.
“In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect.
“As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”
However, Atiku maintained a critical stance against the ruling party, expressing concern over what he described as poor governance under the APC.
“What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people,” he added.
“I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress.”
