 to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).){kind=link}
It’s a blow on former Vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as his son Atiku Abubakar has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
Atiku’ son pledged to support President Ahmed Tinubu’ second term bid. His defection was made public at the National Assembly on Thursday. This is a blow to his father, Atiku Abubakar who is a staunch PDP member.
Atiku Jnr was given a warm welcome by prominent members of the AP’ including Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
While addressing party faithfuls, Atiku Jnr declared his support for APC government. He also instructed members of his political structure, formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, to support Tinubu’ government.
He said,
“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party, where we worked in 2023, and my decision to join the APC.
“Today, I’m here to formally announce my exit from my former party to the APC following the outstanding leadership style and quality of His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027. To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu.”
Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as beyond old social and political cleavages.
Salihu said,
“Today is one of my happiest days. We are looking beyond old social and political cleavages. This young man has seen the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and decided to align with them.”
Senator Barau on his part congratulated Atiku Jnr for what he described as a decision based on ideology.
Barau said,
“You have made a decision based on ideology. You didn’t come here because of your father. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his ideology and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”