Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the decision of his son, Abubakar Atiku, to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a personal choice.
Vice President Atiku stated this in a statement issued after Abubakar Atiku publicly announced his defection from the PDP to the ruling APC and declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal,” Atiku said.
“In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect. As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”
Atiku, however, said his concern remained the performance of the APC-led government.
“What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people,” he said.
“I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative.”
Abubakar Atiku announced his defection on Thursday at the National Assembly in Abuja, where he was received by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin and the APC National Vice Chairman (North-east), Mustapha Salihu.
During the event, Abubakar Atiku said he was leaving the PDP, where he worked during the 2023 general election, to join the APC.
“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party and my decision to join the APC,” he said.
He pledged to work for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and directed members of his political organisation, founded in 2022 as the Atiku Haske Organisation, to join the APC.
Abubakar Atiku also announced the renaming of the group to the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation.
“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,” he said.
Welcoming him into the party, Salihu said the APC offered equal rights and opportunities to all members.
Barau also congratulated Abubakar Atiku, saying his decision was based on belief in Tinubu’s leadership and policies.
Atiku Abubakar was the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election. He later aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside other opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.
