SUNTV Global Channel | News
January 15, 2026
Abba Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has formally dumped the PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), openly pledging support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid ahead of the 2027 general election.
The defection was announced on Thursday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where Abba was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside top APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
Popularly known as “Abba,” the younger Atiku described his decision as both historic and personal, saying it was driven by conviction rather than family influence.
“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party and my decision to join the APC,” he said.
He disclosed that his decision was influenced by what he described as the leadership style of Senator Barau Jibrin and the reform agenda of President Tinubu. Abba also directed members of his political structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation, founded in 2022, to immediately defect to the APC and commence mobilisation in support of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. I am directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu,” he added.
Welcoming Abba into the ruling party, APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, saying it signalled a new phase of “politics without borders.”
“Today is one of my happiest days. We are moving beyond old political and social divisions. This young man has examined the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and decided to align with them,” Salihu said, assuring Abba of equal opportunities within the party.
In his remarks, Senator Barau Jibrin described the move as “bold, wise, and principled,” stressing that it was based on ideology and not family ties.
“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,” Barau said.
According to the Deputy Senate President, Abba had been closely following political developments from the United States and was impressed by the reforms being implemented by the Tinubu administration, which influenced his return to Nigeria and eventual defection.
Also speaking, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s warm acceptance within the APC.
“Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father. Your decision is like returning home. You and your coordinators have a future in this party,” Abdullahi said.
Speaking on behalf of the defecting group, Kano State coordinator Hon. Mubarak Musa said all future political activities of the Haske Atiku Organisation would now be coordinated through Senator Barau.
“We worked tirelessly for our former platform. We will double our efforts and deliver for the APC in 2027,” Musa pledged.
— SUNTV Global Channel
