The political fortunes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has suffered a blow as his son, Abba, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and endorsed his father’s archrival, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the 2027 presidential election.
The former Vice-President is a prime mover who contested against Tinubu on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party in 2023, is one of the top aspirants lined up for the 2027 presidential ticket of the opposition African Democratic Congress.
The former Vice-President, who has contested the position of President since 1993, is a prime mover of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to reports, he has 26 children from his five wives.
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Like his Dad, Abba, has dumped PDP, but moved to the ruling APC.
He has pledged to work for the re-election of Tinubu.
Atiku’s son, popularly known as Abba, was received into the APC on Thursday at the National Assembly Complex by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone, in what party leaders described as a major boost for the APC’s consolidation drive ahead of the next general elections.
Speaking at the event, Abba declared his full alignment with the APC, describing the moment as both historic and personal.
He also directed all coordinators and members of the political organisation he founded in 2022, formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, to immediately align with the APC and support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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. To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association, to join APC and work for President Tinubu.”
Welcoming him into the APC, the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, noting that it underscored what he called “politics without borders.”
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.”
He stressed that the APC remained a progressive party driven by ideology and policy, not personal ambition, assuring the new entrant of equal rights and privileges.
Delivering his remarks, Senator Barau congratulated Abba for what he described as a “bold, wise and principled decision,” assuring him and his supporters of maximum support within the party.
“You have taken 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,” Barau said.
The Deputy Senate President disclosed that Abba, who had been following political developments from the United States, was impressed by the Tinubu’s administration’s reforms and outreach efforts, prompting his decision to return home and join the APC.
“He is young, focused and determined to contribute to shaping the future of our country. This is the kind of youth Nigeria needs,” Barau said.
Also speaking, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance and support.
“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.
ATIKU’S 26 CHILDREN
The first wife gave birth to four children, Fatima, Adamu, Halima and Aminu while the second wife, Hajia Ladi has six children, Abba, Atiku, Zainab, Ummi, Mariam and Rukayatu. The third wife, Princess Rukaiyat (current Lamido Adamawa’s 13th child) had seven children, Aisha, Hadiza, Aliyu, Asmau, Mustafa, Laila and Abdulsalaam. Hajia Fatima has six children, Amina, Mohammed and two sets of twins, Ahmed and Shehu andAisha and Zainab. And Hajia Jamila has three children, Abdulmalik, Zahra and Faisal.
