In a politically significant development ahead of the 2027 general elections, Abubakar Atiku-Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Popularly known as Abba, Atiku’s son announced his resignation from the PDP on Thursday and declared his alignment with the APC at an event held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja. He was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside senior APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
APC leaders described the defection as both symbolic and strategic, noting its potential impact as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.
Declaring his decision, Abubakar described the move as historic and deeply personal, saying it was driven by his belief in the ideology of the APC and the leadership style of President Tinubu.
“I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party and my decision to join the APC,” he said. “This decision follows my belief in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He pledged to work closely with Senator Barau Jibrin to mobilise grassroots support for Tinubu’s re-election and directed members of his political structure, formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, to immediately align with the APC.
“To this effect, I am directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as we move towards 2027,” he added.
Welcoming him into the party, APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as a reflection of “politics without borders,” stressing that the APC is driven by ideology and national development rather than personal ambition.
Senator Barau Jibrin congratulated Abubakar for what he described as a bold and principled decision, assuring him and his supporters of equal opportunities within the party. He revealed that Abba, who had been observing Nigeria’s political developments from the United States, was impressed by the Tinubu administration’s reforms and inclusive governance approach.
A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, also welcomed Abubakar, describing his move as a return home and assuring him of President Tinubu’s support.
Meanwhile, reacting to his son’s defection, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stated that the decision was purely personal and consistent with democratic principles. In a post on his Facebook page, he said political choices within families were neither unusual nor alarming, while reiterating his criticism of APC governance and vowing to continue working toward what he described as a credible alternative for Nigerians.
The event concluded with the formal renaming of Abba’s political platform from Haske Atiku Organisation to Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, symbolising a complete political realignment in support of President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
