Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to his son’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a personal decision and insisting that he does not interfere in the political choices of his children.
In a statement released on Thursday, Atiku said divergent political affiliations within families were normal in a democracy, stressing that his own political convictions and opposition to the ruling party remained unchanged.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal. In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect,” Atiku said.
He added that as a democrat, he respected freedom of conscience and would not impose his views on anyone, including members of his family.
“What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people,” the former vice president stated, reaffirming his commitment to working with “like-minded patriots” to provide Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of delivering relief, hope and progress.
Atiku’s reaction followed the formal defection of his son, Abba Abubakar, from the PDP to the APC, where he openly pledged support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027.
The defection was announced on Thursday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where Abba was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside other leaders of the ruling party from the North-East.
Addressing APC leaders and supporters, Abba declared his resignation from the PDP and announced his decision to align with the APC, describing the move as both historic and deeply personal. He also directed members of his political structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation, which he founded in 2022, to defect to the APC and mobilise support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027,” Abba said.
Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, saying it reflected a new era of “politics without borders.”
Senator Barau, in his remarks, congratulated Abba on what he called a bold and principled decision, insisting that the move was driven by ideology rather than family influence.
“You didn’t come here because of your father. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Barau said.
Also speaking at the event, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance within the party, describing his decision to join the APC as a return home.
The event concluded with the formal renaming of Abba’s political platform from the Haske Atiku Organisation to the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signalling a complete political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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