Abba Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The defection comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the next general elections. Atiku Abubakar, who contested against President Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the PDP, is widely regarded as one of the leading aspirants for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket for 2027. Should he secure the ticket, he would face Tinubu for a second consecutive time.
However, in a major political twist, one of Atiku’s sons has now thrown his weight behind the ruling party.
Abba, popularly known simply as Abba, was formally received into the APC on Thursday at the National Assembly Complex by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone. Party leaders described his defection as a significant boost to the APC’s consolidation efforts ahead of 2027.
Speaking at the event, Abba announced his full alignment with the APC, describing his decision as both historic and deeply personal. He also directed all coordinators and members of his political movement, founded in 2022 and formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, to immediately join the APC and work in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. 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 attributed his decision to what he described as the leadership style and political quality of Senator Barau Jibrin, adding that he would work closely with the Deputy Senate President to actualise President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To this effect, I am directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu,” Abba stated.
Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, saying it reflected what he termed “politics without borders.”
“Today is one of my happiest days. We are looking beyond old social and political cleavages. This young man has seen the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and decided to align with them,” Salihu said.
He assured Abba of equal rights and privileges within the party, stressing that the APC remains a progressive platform driven by ideology and policy rather than personal ambition.
In his remarks, Senator Barau Jibrin congratulated Abba for what he described as a bold and principled decision, assuring him and his supporters of full backing within the APC.
“You have taken a decision based on ideology. You did not come here because of your father. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his ideology, and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Barau said.
The Deputy Senate President further revealed that Abba, who had been following political developments from the United States, was impressed by the reforms and outreach of the Tinubu administration, which influenced his return to Nigeria and subsequent defection.
“He is young, focused, and determined to contribute to shaping the future of our country. This is the kind of youth Nigeria needs,” Barau added.
Also speaking at the event, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance and support, describing his decision as a return home.
“Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father. Your decision is like coming back home. You and your coordinators have a future in this party,” Abdullahi said.
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