BREAKING: Atiku’s Son dumps PDP for APC, pledges loyalty to Tinubu

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

The defection was formally announced on Thursday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where Abubakar, popularly known as Abba, was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside other senior APC leaders from the North-East.

The move, regarded as politically symbolic, has sparked fresh conversations across Nigeria’s political space, given Abba’s background and his active role in opposition politics during the 2023 elections.

Addressing party leaders and supporters, Abba confirmed his resignation from the PDP and declared his full entry into the ruling party, describing the decision as deliberate and forward-looking.

“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 further directed members and coordinators of his political platform, Haske Atiku Organisation, founded in 2022, to immediately defect with him and work for the success of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to Abba, his decision was influenced by the leadership style of Senator Barau Jibrin and what he described as the performance and direction of the Tinubu administration.

“With this development, I will work closely with Senator Barau to actualise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition in 2027,” he stated.

Welcoming the new entrant, APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as significant and reflective of an evolving political culture.

“This is politics without borders,” Salihu said. “This young man has assessed the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and has chosen to align with them.”

He assured Abba of equal rights, inclusion and opportunities within the APC.

In his remarks, Senator Barau described the defection as a major boost to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that the decision was rooted in conviction rather than family influence.

“You have taken a decision based on ideology,” Barau said. “You did not come because of your father; you came because you believe in President Tinubu, his leadership and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Deputy Senate President disclosed that Abba had been closely monitoring political developments from the United States, adding that the administration’s reforms and outreach efforts influenced his return to Nigeria and subsequent political realignment.

Also speaking, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of full acceptance within the party, describing the move as a homecoming.

“Just as Atiku is your father, Tinubu is also your father. You and your supporters have a future in this party,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Kano State Coordinator, Hon. Mubarak Musa, described the decision as strategic, announcing that all political activities of the group would now be coordinated under Senator Barau’s leadership.

“We worked tirelessly for our former platform. We are ready to double our efforts for the APC in 2027,” Musa said.

The event concluded with a symbolic gesture, as Haske Atiku Organisation was officially renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, marking a complete political realignment ahead of the next general elections.