Atiku’s Son Abba Joins APC, Says No Party Can Stop Tinubu in 2027

Abba Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared that no political party or individual can defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. His declaration, made on Monday in Yola, Adamawa State, adds a new dimension to Nigeria’s evolving political landscape ahead of the next general polls.

Abba’s defection and endorsement of the incumbent president have drawn attention not only because of his family background, but also because of the strong confidence he expressed in the Tinubu administration’s reforms. The development comes at a time when political alignments are gradually taking shape across parties in anticipation of 2027.

Defection in Yola and Public Endorsement of Tinubu

Abba Atiku announced his decision after collecting his APC membership registration card at Gwadabawa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Addressing APC members and supporters, he said his move was driven by what he described as the administration’s economic and human development agenda.

According to him, President Tinubu’s leadership style, which he said prioritises merit over ethnic or religious considerations, has convinced many Nigerians of the president’s capacity to lead the country beyond 2027. He argued that the reforms undertaken so far have laid a foundation that voters would be unwilling to abandon at the polls.

Abba further urged Nigerians, regardless of party affiliation, to rally behind the president to ensure continuity of policies. He emphasised that broader mobilisation was necessary to sustain what he termed ongoing national development efforts.

APC Leaders React, Express Confidence Ahead of 2027

The APC Zonal Vice Chairman for Adamawa Central, Alhaji Isa Bagalti, who presented the membership card to Abba, said the defection had dispelled speculation about the party’s prospects in the next election. He maintained that the development reinforced the APC’s belief that President Tinubu remains the strongest contender for 2027.

Bagalti stated that the APC now sees the path to the next election as clearer, arguing that no opposition party or candidate currently possesses the structure or influence to challenge the president effectively. His remarks echoed a growing sense of confidence within the ruling party.

Also speaking, a prominent APC chieftain in Adamawa State, Alhaji Jamil Yusuf, described President Tinubu as having no credible rival ahead of the election. He dismissed potential challengers as lacking the experience and competence required for the office, adding that the presidency should not be treated as a transactional political venture.

Family Political Divide and Broader Implications

Abba Atiku’s move highlights a notable political divergence within the Atiku Abubakar family. While Abba has aligned himself with the APC, his brother, Adamu Atiku, remains a senior figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and currently serves as Adamawa State Commissioner for Works and Energy Development under Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a perennial presidential aspirant, is now associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), without any of his sons currently active in that party. The differing affiliations underscore the fluidity of political loyalties in Nigeria and reflect broader realignments ahead of the 2027 contest.

Analysts say Abba’s defection may not immediately alter voting patterns, but it carries symbolic weight, particularly in Adamawa State and the North-East region. As parties continue to position themselves, such high-profile endorsements are expected to shape narratives and influence grassroots mobilisation in the coming years.