Abba Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, pledging unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Abba, who initially announced his defection on January 15, picked his APC membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area, Adamawa State, publicly affirming his allegiance to the ruling party.
Speaking after the registration, he praised Tinubu’s administration for what he called the “best economic and human reformations”, insisting that no political party or individual can prevent Tinubu from returning to Aso Rock in 2027.
“Nigerians have seen his good work. He is not a tribalist. He does not make appointments based on religion or region. His decisions are purely on merit,” Abba said. He highlighted the massive human capital and infrastructural development under Tinubu, urging Nigerians across party lines to rally behind the president.
Presenting the membership card, APC Zonal Vice Chairman for Adamawa Central, Alhaji Isa Bagalti, said Abba’s defection dispelled doubts about the ruling party’s strength in the 2027 election.
“With this development, it is now clear that there is no political party or presidential candidate in Nigeria that can face our President in the 2027 election,” Bagalti said.
Alhaji Jamilu Yusuf, a top APC chieftain in Adamawa, described other aspirants as “wishful thinkers”, asserting that the presidency now belongs to competent leaders like Tinubu, not those treating politics as a “trade fair.”
Abba’s defection adds an ironic twist to Adamawa politics, as his father, Atiku Abubakar, continues to pursue the presidency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while another son, Adamu Atiku, remains in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and serves as Commissioner for Works and Energy Development in Adamawa State.
At the January 15 event in Abuja, Abba said his decision was influenced by the leadership of Senator Barau Jibrin, and pledged to mobilise his associates to support Tinubu’s second-term bid.
APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described Abba’s defection as symbolic and far-reaching, praising his alignment with Tinubu’s policies and programmes.
Reacting to his son’s move, Atiku Abubakar said the decision was entirely personal and emphasised that in a democracy, such individual choices are neither unusual nor alarming.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal,” Atiku said. “As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”
