Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has broken his silence after his son, Abba Abubakar, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that has triggered intense political debate nationwide.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Atiku made it clear that his son’s decision has nothing to do with family conflict or political rift.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal. In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect,” Atiku stated.
Abba Abubakar Officially Joins APC
Abba Abubakar, popularly known as Abba, formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on Thursday at the National Assembly in Abuja.
He was received by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside top APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
During the event, Abba openly pledged his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and declared his intention to work toward Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027. To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu,” Abba announced.
In a symbolic move, Abba also renamed his political structure from Haske Atiku Organisation to Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signaling full alignment with the ruling party.
Atiku Draws the Line: Family vs Governance
Despite his son’s defection, Atiku emphasized that his political stance remains unchanged.
According to him, his real concern is not family politics but what he described as poor governance under the APC.
“What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people,” Atiku said.
“I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative.”
Political Shockwaves Ahead of 2027
Abba’s defection has intensified conversations around 2027 power dynamics, especially given Atiku’s long-standing opposition role and previous presidential bids.
While some see Abba’s move as a strategic realignment, others believe it adds a dramatic twist to Nigeria’s already heated political landscape.
One thing is certain:
The Atiku–Abba political split has officially become one of the most talked-about stories ahead of 2027.
👉 What do you think — personal choice or political statement?
