Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed a significant development on Thursday as Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Popularly known as “Abba,” the younger Atiku announced his decision at the National Assembly, Abuja, pledging to actively support the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. The move has been widely interpreted as both symbolic and strategic, with potential implications for party alignments ahead of the next general elections.
Defection and Formal Reception at the National Assembly
Abubakar’s defection was formally announced in the presence of senior APC figures, including the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, and key party leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone. Party officials described the event as a notable political realignment, particularly given Abubakar’s background and his previous involvement in the PDP during the 2023 election cycle.
Addressing party leaders and supporters, Abubakar declared his resignation from the PDP and affirmed his decision to align fully with the APC. He described the move as historic and deeply personal, noting that it followed careful reflection on the direction of national leadership and governance. He also instructed members and coordinators of his political structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation founded in 2022, to immediately defect to the APC.
In his remarks, Abubakar said he would work closely with Senator Barau Jibrin to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition. He cited the leadership style of the Deputy Senate President and the policy direction of the Tinubu administration as major influences on his decision, pledging loyalty to the APC’s platform and agenda.
APC Leadership Reacts to the Political Shift
Welcoming Abubakar into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as far-reaching and symbolic of a broader trend toward what he termed “politics without borders.” According to Salihu, the move demonstrated a willingness among political actors to look beyond traditional party lines in favour of shared policy goals and governance ideals.
Salihu stressed that the APC was driven by ideology and policy orientation rather than personal or family affiliations. He assured Abubakar of full membership rights and equal opportunities within the party, noting that the APC remained open to individuals who identified with its vision and reform agenda.
Senator Barau Jibrin, in his remarks, congratulated Abubakar for what he described as a bold and principled decision. He emphasised that the defection was not based on personal considerations but on ideological alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Deputy Senate President added that Abubakar had closely followed political developments from the United States and was impressed by the administration’s reforms and outreach efforts, which influenced his return to Nigeria and subsequent decision.
Strategic Implications and Organisational Realignment
Other speakers at the event highlighted the potential impact of the defection on the APC’s consolidation efforts, particularly in the North-East. A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abubakar of President Tinubu’s acceptance and support within the party, describing his decision as a return to a political home with long-term prospects.
On behalf of the defecting group, the Kano State Coordinator, Mubarak Musa, described the move as strategic and forward-looking. He announced that all political activities of the group would henceforth be coordinated through Senator Barau Jibrin, pledging renewed commitment to delivering electoral support for the APC in 2027.
The high point of the event was the formal renaming of Abubakar’s political structure from the Haske Atiku Organisation to the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation. Party leaders said the change signalled a complete political realignment and a clear declaration of support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid, underscoring the group’s new direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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