A prominent chieftain of Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has issued a cautious statement following the high-profile defection of Abubakar Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to the party.
A High-Profile Political Defection
The younger Atiku officially left the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the APC on January 15. His move to the ruling party was formalized at a reception ceremony where he was welcomed by key APC figures.
The event was led by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who represents Kano North. He was joined by other significant APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone, underscoring the regional importance of the defection.
APC Chieftain's Cautious Reaction
Reacting to the news, Joe Igbokwe, a known APC stalwart, took to social media to express his thoughts. While acknowledging the development, his message carried a tone of wariness.
Igbokwe wrote, "I hear the Alhaji Atiku Abubakar's son has joined APC. I hope it is real oooo. We do not want a mole in the house oooo. Ka fi suru oooooo." This statement, mixing English and Yoruba, translates to a hope that the defection is genuine and a clear warning against allowing a political spy, or "mole," into the party's ranks. The Yoruba phrase "Ka fi suru" advises patience and careful observation.
Implications for Nigerian Politics
This defection is seen as a significant coup for the APC, coming from the immediate family of one of its main political rivals, Atiku Abubakar, who was the PDP's presidential candidate in the last election. However, Igbokwe's reaction highlights the underlying tensions and suspicions that often characterize such cross-carpeting events in Nigerian politics.
It raises immediate questions about the motivations behind the move and its potential impact on the political landscape. The public caution from a senior party member suggests that not everyone within the APC is unreservedly celebrating the new addition, indicating possible internal divisions or strategic concerns about the defection's authenticity.
The coming weeks will reveal how the APC integrates the younger Atiku and whether his move will inspire further defections from the PDP or remain an isolated, closely watched event.
