Family Name, New Direction: Atiku’s son backs Tinubu, joins APC

In a move that has stirred Nigeria’s political space, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to work for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Popularly known as Abba, the younger Atiku was formally received on Thursday at the National Assembly by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside other prominent APC leaders from the North-East, in what party officials hailed as a major boost to the APC’s consolidation ahead of the next general election.

Announcing his decision, Abba declared his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and affirmed his full commitment to the APC, describing the defection as both a historic and personal choice.

He also directed all coordinators and members of his political movement, formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, to immediately align with the APC and throw their weight behind President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. Today, I formally announce my exit from my former party and my decision to join the APC,” he said.
“With this step, I will work closely with Senator Barau to actualise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027. I have also directed all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu.”

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 “politics without borders.”

“Today is one of my happiest days. This young man has seen the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and decided to align with them,” Salihu said, assuring Abba of equal rights and opportunities within the party.

In his remarks, Senator Barau congratulated Abba for what he called a “bold, wise and principled decision,” noting that the defection was driven by ideology rather than family ties.

“You didn’t 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, adding that Abba’s exposure abroad had further strengthened his belief in the administration’s reforms.

A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, also assured Abba of President Tinubu’s support, describing the move as a return home.

On behalf of the group, Kano State Coordinator, Hon. Mubarak Musa, said members would intensify efforts to ensure victory for the APC in 2027, adding that their political activities would now be coordinated through Senator Barau.

The event’s highlight was the rebranding of Abba’s political group from Haske Atiku Organisation to Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signalling a complete realignment of its structure and mission as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.