By Our Reporter
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that his son, Abba Abubakar’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), remained his personal decision, but quickly flayed the ruling party’s record in office.
The former vice president said this in a statement issued on Thursday, in reaction to his son's defection to the ruling APC.
Atiku, in the statement, copy of which was made available to newsmen, said he neither influenced nor opposed his son’s political choice, stressing that democracy allowed individuals to act according to his or her conscience, even when politics intersects with family.
The former vice president, who had been a leading opposition figure and a former presidential candidate of the PDP, emphasised that he does not compel his children or Nigerians in political matters.
"The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal.
"In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect," he said.
"As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians,” he added.
However, the former vice president used the occasion to restate his opposition to the APC-led government, accusing it of poor governance and presiding over worsening living conditions across the country.
He restated his commitment to "working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope and progress."
“What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people.
'I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope and progress," he said.
It would be recalled that Abba Atiku-Abubakar on Thursday formally announced his defection to APC at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, where he was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside senior party figures from the North East.
Declaring his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 General Election, Abba described his move as a decision taken out of personal conviction.
Abba urged members of his political platform, the Haske Atiku Organisation, to defect with him and align with the APC, pledging to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s second term under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Atiku's son said he would work closely with Senator Barau to strengthen the party’s grassroots support and ensure effective mobilisation ahead of future elections.
Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman for the North East, Alhaji Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as significant, positing that it reflected growing confidence in the policies of the Tinubu administration.
“This is one of my happiest days. This young man has assessed the programmes and policies of President Tinubu and has chosen to identify with them,” Salihu said.
Senator Barau also praised Abba’s decision, stressing that it was driven by ideology rather than family ties.
“You have taken a decision rooted in ideology. You are not here because of who your father is. You are here because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his vision and the Renewed Hope Agenda," Barau said.
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