Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s son, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, 15 January, 2026, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He promised to work for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
His father is the leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and he is believed to be eyeing the Presidency.
The younger Atiku, popularly known as “Abba”, was received at the National Assembly by the Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and other party leaders from the Northeast geo-political zone.
The party leaders described the defection as a major boost for the APC’s consolidation drive ahead of the next general election.
Abubakar Atiku Abubakar directed coordinators and members of the political organisation he founded in 2022, the Haske Atiku Organisation, to immediately align with the APC and support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said: “My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. 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.
“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.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. GCFR come to 2027. To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association to join APC and work for President Tinubu.”
The National Vice Chairman (Northeast), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, saying that it underscored “politics without borders.”
Salihu said: “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.”
He said APC is a progressive party driven by ideology and policy, and not personal ambition, assuring the new entrant of equal rights and privileges.
Barau congratulated Abba for what he described as a “bold, wise and principled decision,” assuring him and his supporters of maximum support within the party.
He said: “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.”
The Deputy Senate President disclosed that Abba, who had been following political developments in the United States, was impressed by the administration’s reforms and outreach efforts, prompting him to return home and join the APC.
Barau added: “He is young, focused and determined to contribute to shaping the future of our country. This is the kind of youth Nigeria needs.”
A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance and support.
He said: “Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father. Your decision is like returning home. You and your coordinators have a future in this party,” Abdullahi said.
The Kano State Coordinator of the group, Mubarak Musa, described the defection as a strategic move, stressing that the group’s political activities would now be coordinated through Senator Barau.
He said: “We have worked around the clock for our former platform. We will double our efforts and deliver for the APC in 2027.”
Musa described Barau as a political father and a pillar of the party in the North.
The highlight of the event was the renaming of the political association of Abba, Haske Atiku, to Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signalling a complete realignment of its structure and mission ahead of 2027.
Source: The Nation
