The defection of Abubakar “Abba” Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) sparked intense debate on Thursday, with party leaders and political observers expressing a blend of excitement, suspicion and caution over the move.
The discussion was ignited by a social media post from APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe, who said he welcomed reports of Abba Atiku’s defection but warned against the possibility of internal sabotage. While expressing optimism, Igbokwe made it clear that the ruling party must remain vigilant.
“I hear that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s son has joined APC. I hope it is real. We do not want a mole in the house,” he wrote, using a mix of English and colloquial expressions to underline his concerns.
Abba Atiku formally joined the APC on January 15 at a ceremony held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja. He was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), alongside several senior party leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
At the event, Abba pledged to work for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and promised to mobilise political support ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also directed members of his political network to align fully with the APC’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The defection has drawn significant attention due to its timing, coming shortly after his father, Atiku Abubakar, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The former Vice President’s move is widely interpreted as part of a broader effort to build a formidable opposition coalition capable of challenging the APC in 2027.
The contrasting political choices of father and son have further fuelled public discourse, with many Nigerians debating the implications for both camps. Responding to the development, Atiku Abubakar clarified that his son’s decision was purely personal and should not be linked to his own political stance.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, the former Vice President emphasised the principles of democracy and freedom of choice, even within families. “As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku also reiterated his criticism of the APC-led Federal Government and reaffirmed his determination to work with political allies to offer Nigerians an alternative platform ahead of the next general election.
Within the APC, reactions have been far from uniform. While some party leaders welcomed Abba Atiku’s defection as symbolic and strategically important, others urged restraint. The APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the move as an example of “politics without borders” and welcomed the younger Atiku into the party.
Senator Barau Jibrin praised Abba’s decision, describing it as bold and driven by personal conviction rather than family ties. A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, went even further, characterising the defection as a “return home” to the ruling party.
However, the Lagos State chapter of the APC adopted a more confrontational tone. In a statement issued by its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, the party described Abba’s defection as a major blow to Atiku Abubakar’s political credibility. Oladejo said the move revealed, “with unmistakable clarity,” what he called a political earthquake triggered by Abba’s decision to abandon the ADC for the APC.
According to him, the action spoke louder than repeated press briefings. “When a man’s own son deserts his political judgment and embraces another path, Nigerians are entitled to ask serious questions about credibility,” Oladejo said.
Despite the celebratory tone from some quarters, not all APC members were enthusiastic. Former APC presidential aspirant Adamu Garba urged party supporters to temper their excitement, describing the defection as a development that should be carefully examined rather than blindly celebrated.
Abba Atiku’s move is the latest in a growing wave of political cross-carpeting reshaping party alignments across the country. The trend has been particularly visible in the North, where both the APC and the emerging ADC-led opposition bloc are intensifying political manoeuvres as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
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