Atiku says son’s defection to APC is personal decision
Former vice-president Atiku Abubakar has said the decision of his son, Abba Abubakar, to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was a personal choice.
Abubakar said as a democrat, he does not compel his children on matters of conscience or political affiliation.
On January 15, Abba announced his defection to the APC, saying he was joining the party to support the re-election of Bola Tinubu, who defeated his father in the 2023 presidential election.
Abba also disclosed that his political group, founded in 2022 as the Atiku Haske Organisation, had been renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation.
Reacting in a post on X, Atiku said his son’s action should not be misconstrued.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal,” he wrote.
“In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect.
“As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”
Atiku, who is now a member of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party whose stated aim is to prevent Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, said his focus remains on addressing what he described as poor governance under the APC.
“What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people,” he said.
“I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress.”
In the 2023 presidential election, Atiku, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), came second with 6,984,520 votes. Tinubu was declared winner with 8,794,726 votes, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party finished third with 6,101,533 votes.
