The All Progressives Congress (APC) scored a major political coup yesterday as Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, dumped the PDP to pledge support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Abubakar, popularly known as Abba, formally announced his defection at the National Assembly, where he was received by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside APC leaders from the North-East.
Party officials described the move as a significant boost for the APC’s consolidation efforts ahead of the next general election, citing Abba’s political network and grassroots influence.
“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 declared.
Abba said his decision was informed by his confidence in Senator Barau’s leadership and the policies of the Tinubu administration. He pledged to mobilise members of his former political network, the Haske Atiku Organisation, to align with the APC and support the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu,” he added.
Welcoming him, APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching.
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“Today is one of my happiest days. This is politics without borders. He has seen the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and decided to align with them,” Salihu said, assuring Abba of equal rights and opportunities within the party.
Senator Barau congratulated Abba for what he called a “bold and principled decision,” stressing that the move was driven by ideology rather than sentiment.
“You didn’t come here because of who your father is. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his ideology and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Barau said.
The Deputy Senate President disclosed that Abba, who had been following political developments from the United States, was impressed by the administration’s reforms, which influenced his return to Nigeria and decision to join the APC.
“He is young, focused and determined to contribute to shaping the future of our country. This is the kind of youth Nigeria needs,” Barau added.
A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, described the defection as a homecoming. “Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father. Your decision is like returning home. You and your coordinators have a future in this party,” he said.
Speaking for the group, Kano State Coordinator Hon. Mubarak Musa said the defection was strategic, noting that all political activities of the former organisation would now be coordinated through Senator Barau.
“We have worked round the clock for our former platform. We will double our efforts and deliver for the APC in 2027,” Musa said, describing Senator Barau as their political father and a key pillar of the party in the North.
The event culminated with the renaming of Abba’s political organisation from Haske Atiku Organisation to Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signalling a full realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
