Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice‑President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and pledged his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re‑election bid in 2027.
Announced at the National Assembly in Abuja, the move is being viewed as a symbolic and strategic realignment that could influence political dynamics ahead of the next general elections.
Abba Atiku, as he is popularly known, was received into the ruling party by Senator Barau I Jibrin, Deputy President of the Senate, along with other APC leaders from the North‑East geopolitical zone.
The decision comes amid ongoing political realignments across Nigeria, where high‑profile defections and endorsements are shaping preparations for the 2027 polls.
His political platform, originally founded in 2022 as the Haske Atiku Organisation, has been fully integrated into the APC and renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signalling a complete shift in allegiance.
Addressing party faithful, Abba said his defection was both “historic and deeply personal,” emphasising his belief in Tinubu’s leadership and the APC’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He announced that all coordinators and members of his former political structure should immediately join the APC and help build momentum for Tinubu’s second‑term bid.
The APC National Vice Chairman (North‑East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as “symbolic and far‑reaching,” highlighting that it transcends traditional political divides and reflects confidence in Tinubu’s policy direction. Senator Barau, for his part, congratulated Abba for making a “wise and principled decision” based on ideology rather than familial ties.
The defection of a prominent figure from an opposition political lineage to the ruling party could carry significant implications for electoral mobilisation and party consolidation, particularly in the North‑East, a key battleground region.
Alignments such as this may reshape campaign strategies and grassroots outreach ahead of 2027, especially as parties seek broader coalitions and new support bases.
For the PDP, the move may prompt introspection on internal cohesion and youth engagement, while the APC could leverage the endorsement to deepen its appeal among younger voters and politically active networks previously affiliated with the opposition.
Abba Atiku Abubakar’s defection to the APC and endorsement of President Tinubu’s re‑election campaign mark a notable development in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
The strategic realignment underscores shifting allegiances and the evolving dynamics of party politics, highlighting how individual decisions can signal broader trends and influence momentum as the general elections approach.
