Abba Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. This significant political move, announced at the National Assembly in Abuja, marks a notable shift in the Nigerian political landscape and positions Abba Abubakar as a key supporter of the ruling party’s agenda. The defection was formalized on a Thursday, with key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone present to welcome him into the party.
Popularly known as “Abba,” the younger Abubakar was formally received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside other prominent APC figures. Party leaders have hailed this as a crucial political realignment, indicating a broader trend of cross-party engagement and strategic alliances. Abba Abubakar’s decision signals a personal endorsement of the APC’s direction and President Tinubu’s leadership.
What is the significance of Abba Abubakar’s defection to the APC? His move is seen as a major endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and a strategic realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 general elections, demonstrating a willingness to work with the ruling party.
Addressing party leaders and supporters, Abubakar declared his resignation from the PDP and articulated his alignment with the APC. He described the transition as both historic and a deeply personal choice, reflecting a thorough assessment of the political climate and his future aspirations. This announcement was met with enthusiasm from APC members.
He further directed all coordinators and members of his former political structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation, which he founded in 2022, to immediately join the APC. The primary objective of this directive is to mobilize support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to consolidate the party’s base and expand its influence.
“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba,” he stated during the welcoming ceremony. “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.” This clear declaration underscores the finality of his decision and his commitment to his new political home.
Abubakar elaborated on his motivations, stating, “Today, I’m here to formally announce my exit from my former party to the APC following the outstanding leadership style and quality of His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.” His admiration for Senator Jibrin’s leadership appears to be a significant factor in his decision.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027,” he confirmed. This statement explicitly outlines his commitment to the party’s electoral goals and his proactive role in achieving them.
Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, emphasized the symbolic and far-reaching implications of the defection. Salihu described the move as a reflection of a new era of “politics without borders,” suggesting a departure from rigid ideological or familial affiliations.
Salihu added, “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.” This highlights the APC’s focus on policy and performance as drivers of political alignment.
He stressed that the APC is driven by ideology and policy direction rather than mere personal ambition, assuring Abba Abubakar of full rights and equal opportunities within the party. This statement aims to reassure new members and reinforce the party’s core values.
In his remarks, Senator Barau congratulated the new APC entrant for what he termed a “bold, wise and principled decision.” He assured Abubakar and his supporters of maximum support from the party leadership, signaling a warm reception and integration into the APC structure.
Barau further explained, “You have made a decision based on ideology. 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.” This emphasizes the ideological basis of Abubakar’s decision.
The Deputy President of the Senate disclosed that Abba Abubakar, who had been closely following political developments from the United States, was impressed by the Tinubu administration’s reforms and outreach efforts. This exposure, he noted, prompted his return to Nigeria and his subsequent decision to join the ruling party.
“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, praising Abubakar’s potential contribution to national development.
On behalf of the defecting group, the Kano State coordinator, Hon. Mubarak Musa, described the move as strategic. He noted that all political activities of the group would henceforth be coordinated through Senator Barau, solidifying the new leadership structure.
Musa confidently stated, “We have worked around the clock for our former platform. We will double our efforts and deliver for the APC in 2027.” This commitment underscores the group’s dedication to their new party and its electoral objectives.
The high point of the event was the formal renaming of Abba Abubakar’s political structure from the Haske Atiku Organisation to the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation. This symbolic renaming signifies a complete political realignment and a clear declaration of support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid ahead of the 2027 elections.
