Abba Abubakar, the son of ex-Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has switched from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress, committing to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The departure was revealed on Thursday during the National Assembly meeting in Abuja.
Commonly referred to as “Abba,” the younger Atiku was officially welcomed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, along with important APC figures from the Northeast geopolitical zone, in an event party leaders characterized as a major political repositioning.
While speaking to party leaders and supporters at the event, Abubakar revealed his departure from the PDP and proclaimed his support for the APC, calling the decision both historic and very personal.
He instructed all coordinators and members of his political organization, previously called the Haske Atiku Organisation, which he established in 2022, to promptly join the APC and rally support for President Tinubu’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 actualize 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.”
Ushering him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as both symbolic and far-reaching, saying it reflected a new phase of “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 programs of the Tinubu administration and decided to align with them.”
He emphasized that the APC was driven by ideology and policy direction rather than personal ambition, assuring Abba of full rights and equal opportunities within the party.
In his remarks, Barau congratulated the new APC entrant for what he described as a “bold, wise, and principled decision,” assuring him and his supporters of maximum support from the party leadership.
Barau stated, “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.”
Barau disclosed that Abba, who had been closely following political developments from the United States, was impressed by the Tinubu administration’s reforms and outreach efforts, prompting his return to Nigeria and 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.
Also speaking at the event, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abubakar of Tinubu’s acceptance and backing within the party.
“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.
On behalf of the defecting group, Hon. Mubarak Musa, Kano State coordinator, described the decision as strategic, stressing that Senator Barau would now manage all political efforts for the group.
“We have worked around the clock for our former platform. We will double our efforts and deliver for the APC in 2027,” Musa said.
