The political landscape in Nigeria witnessed a significant realignment on Thursday as Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a move that signals a potential shift in the North-East geopolitical power struggle, the younger Abubakar did not only announce his exit from the PDP but also pledged his full commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
### A Formal Reception at the National Assembly
The defection was formalized during a high-profile reception at the National Assembly in Abuja. Abba was officially welcomed into the party by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, and the APC North-East Zonal Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu.
Speaking at the event, Abba Abubakar disclosed his intention to mobilize his national political structure to support the current administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“My decision to join the APC is rooted in a desire to support the progress being made under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated. “We will mobilize our structures across the country to ensure that the President’s vision continues beyond 2027.”
Political analysts describe the move as a strategic blow to the PDP, particularly in the North-East—the home region of the former Vice President. By securing the loyalty of a prominent member of the Abubakar family, the APC aims to further consolidate its hold on a region that has traditionally been a battleground between the two major parties.
Senator Barau Jibrin, while receiving the new defector, described Abba’s entry into the party as a “seismic shift” for the APC. He noted that the party remains open to “progressive minds” who are committed to the unity and development of the nation.
The timing of the defection, coming more than two years before the next general election, suggests an early start to the 2027 campaign cycle. For the PDP, the departure of a high-profile member of the Atiku family raises questions about internal party cohesion as it attempts to reorganize following its 2023 loss.
As of the time of this report, the former Vice President’s media office has not issued an official statement regarding his son’s defection.
