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Afriktimes has confirmed that Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress. His defection has attracted strong political attention due to his family background and the timing of the move ahead of renewed political mobilization for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Abba Atiku Abubakar was received on Thursday evening in Abuja by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, and the National Vice Chairman of the APC in the North East, Mustafa Salihu. Party officials described the move as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the region in preparation for future elections.
Afriktimes gathered that Abba Atiku Abubakar is expected to play an active role in mobilising political support for the re election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Sources within the ruling party confirmed that his political influence in the North East was a key factor in welcoming him into the APC.
Shortly after joining the APC, Abba Atiku Abubakar announced the renaming of the political group he founded. The organisation, previously known as the Atiku Haske Organisation and formed in 2022, has now been renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation. According to party insiders, the renaming is intended to align the group’s activities with the political direction of the APC and President Tinubu’s leadership.
Afriktimes investigation shows that the Atiku Haske Organisation had previously focused on political mobilisation and youth engagement during the 2023 election period. Its rebranding has raised questions among political observers about shifting loyalties and the growing influence of political structures linked to the presidency.
The development has drawn widespread public reaction, especially because Abba Atiku Abubakar is the son of Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President and a leading opposition figure who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party.
Reacting to his son’s decision, Atiku Abubakar made it clear that he does not see the move as a threat to democratic values. In a public statement reviewed by Afriktimes, the former Vice President said the decision taken by his son was personal and based on individual choice.
He stated that in a democratic system, such decisions are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family relationships and politics intersect. Atiku Abubakar stressed that he does not force his children to adopt his political views and would not attempt to impose his beliefs on Nigerians.
However, the former Vice President used the opportunity to strongly criticise the ruling party. He said his major concern remains what he described as poor governance under the APC, as well as the economic and social hardship facing Nigerians.
Atiku Abubakar said he remains committed to working with other like minded Nigerians to restore good governance and provide what he described as a credible alternative that can bring relief, hope, and progress to the country.
Some analysts who spoke to Afriktimes believe the move could be used by the APC to weaken opposition influence in the North East. Others argue that the impact may be more symbolic than practical, noting that Atiku Abubakar remains a strong opposition figure with loyal supporters.
Afriktimes also observed mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media. While some supporters of the APC welcomed Abba Atiku Abubakar’s decision, others viewed it as a political contradiction. Supporters of the opposition questioned whether the move reflected internal political disagreements within the Atiku family.
Afriktimes will continue to monitor developments surrounding this political shift and its possible implications for Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
