Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly addressed the recent political defection of his son, Abba Abubakar, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party of President Bola Tinubu.
A Personal Political Choice
In a statement made on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Atiku clarified that his son's decision to join the APC was made independently. "The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal," the former presidential candidate wrote. He emphasised that in a democratic setting, such divergences within a family are not uncommon and should not be a cause for alarm.
Atiku, a seasoned democrat, stated his philosophy clearly: "As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians." This statement comes after Abba Abubakar, on January 15, 2026, announced his alignment with the APC to support President Tinubu. He also rebranded his political support group from 'Atiku Haske Organisation' to 'Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation'.
Atiku's Focus: Criticising APC and Building an Alternative
While distancing himself from his son's choice, Atiku redirected attention to his core political concern: the performance of the ruling party. Now a member of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), he expressed deep worry over the nation's direction.
"What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people," Atiku declared. He reaffirmed his resolve to collaborate with other patriots to provide Nigerians with a credible political alternative. His goal, as stated, is to "restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress."
The Road to 2027: Atiku's New Political Home
Atiku's formal move to the ADC has been a significant development in Nigeria's political landscape. The party officially welcomed him in November 2025, with its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, describing his entry as a major confidence booster for the coalition.
This transition followed Atiku's resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) two months prior, ending a prolonged internal dispute involving figures like the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. His switch coincided with the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) formal recognition of the David Mark-led ADC faction.
The ADC is already gearing up for the next electoral cycle. The party recently unveiled its national headquarters and announced plans to begin a nationwide membership registration drive. This is in preparation for congresses scheduled for February and a non-elective national convention.
Atiku signalled his new allegiance by sharing photos on X of himself receiving his ADC membership card and a customised "Waziri 01" jersey. This sets the stage for what many anticipate will be another presidential bid in the 2027 general elections.
Historically, Atiku was the PDP presidential candidate in both 2019 and 2023. He lost to the late President Muhammadu Buhari (APC) in 2019 and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC) in 2023, where Tinubu secured 8,794,726 votes against Atiku's 6,984,520 votes.
