By chatnewstv.com
ABUJA, Nigeria — In a major political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections, Abba Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress on Thursday.
Abba Atiku formally announced his exit from the PDP, the party on whose platform his father ran for president in 2023, during a ceremony at the National Assembly office of Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. The defection was accompanied by the rebranding of his political support group from the “Haske Atiku Organisation” to the “Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation.”
“I am here today to formally announce my defection to the APC,” Abba Atiku told a gathering of party leaders. “With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualize the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.”
The younger Atiku said his decision was rooted in an assessment of the Tinubu administration’s policies and the leadership style of Senator Jibrin. He confirmed that he has directed all coordinators of his political network to join the APC and begin mobilization efforts for the president.
Senator Jibrin welcomed the newcomer, describing him as a “young and determined Nigerian” whose move signals growing national support for the president’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
The defection drew a swift response from his father, the former vice president, who used a social media post to distance himself from the move while upholding democratic principles.
“As a democrat, I respect the right of every individual to make decisions according to their conscience,” Atiku Abubakar said. “Family ties should not override personal convictions. In a democracy, every individual has the right to make their own political choices.”
However, the elder Atiku took the opportunity to criticize the ruling party, alleging that APC policies have “inflicted severe hardship” on Nigerians. He reaffirmed his own commitment to providing a “credible alternative” to the current government in the next election cycle.
APC National Vice Chairman Mustapha Salihu characterized the defection as symbolic of a shift beyond traditional political divisions. Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, a presidential aide, assured Abba Atiku and his followers that they would enjoy equal rights and opportunities within the ruling party.
