Atiku’s Son, Abba Abubakar Defects to APC, Backs Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Bid
Abba Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has dumped the crisis-hit Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), openly declaring support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The defection was unveiled on Thursday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, against the backdrop of intensifying political calculations ahead of the 2027 general election, PulseNets learnt.
Mr Abubakar was formally received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, in the company of senior APC stakeholders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
Addressing party leaders and supporters, the younger Abubakar pledged loyalty to the Tinubu-led administration and called on his political base to immediately align with the APC and rally behind the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I am standing here today to officially announce my departure from my former political platform, where we collectively worked during the 2023 elections, and my decision to pitch my tent with the APC,” he said. “For clarity, my name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but I am popularly known as Abba.”
Explaining the motivation behind his move, the politician credited the leadership style of the Senate’s number two citizen.
“My decision to join the APC is inspired by the outstanding leadership qualities of His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin,” he stated. “Going forward, I will work closely with him to ensure the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.”
He added: “Consequently, I am directing all coordinators and members of my political structure to immediately join the APC and commit themselves to working for President Tinubu’s success.”
Welcoming the new entrant, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as both symbolic and strategic, noting that it signalled a shift towards what he termed issue-driven politics.
“This is a moment of personal joy for me,” Mr Salihu said. “We are gradually moving beyond old political divisions. This young man has evaluated the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and made a conscious decision to align with that vision.”
Senator Barau, in his remarks, praised Mr Abubakar’s decision, assuring him of full backing within the ruling party.
“This is a courageous and thoughtful choice rooted in ideology,” the Deputy Senate President said. “You did not come here because of family ties. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his political philosophy, and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar distanced himself from his son’s political move, stressing that it was made independently.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely his personal choice,” the former vice president said in a statement posted on X on Thursday. “In a democratic system, such decisions are neither strange nor threatening, even when they involve close family members.”
Mr Abubakar, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), further clarified that the move was not a product of pressure or inducement.
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“I do not compel my children on matters of conscience, and I certainly will not compel Nigerians,” he said. “My real concern remains the poor governance record of the APC and the deep economic and social hardships Nigerians are currently facing.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with like-minded Nigerians to rebuild confidence in governance and offer the country a credible alternative anchored on relief, hope, and sustainable progress.
