Olushola Omogbehin
Son of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party and promised to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Disclosed on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja, this move has been seen as a major boost to the APC’s consolidation efforts, particularly in the North-East.
Abubakar was officially received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, with heavy APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
The young Atiku used the occasion to announce his resignation from the PDP and declared his full alignment with the APC.
Describing the event as historic and personal, he directed all coordinators and members of his political structure, formerly called Haske Atiku Organisation, which he founded in 2022, to immediately join the APC for the re-election of Tinubu.
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 come 2027. To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association, to join APC and work for President Tinubu.”
Describing the defection as symbolic, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, said it reflected a new phase of “politics without borders.”
“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.”
Calling the defection as bold and wise, Senator Barau congratulated the young Atiku and assure him and his supporters of maximum support from the party leadership.
“You have made 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.
“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.
Speaking on behalf of the defecting group, the Kano State Coordinator, Mubarak Musa, said the move was strategic.
According to him, every political activity of the group would now be coordinated through Senator Barau.
.“We have worked around the clock for our former platform. We will double our efforts and deliver for the APC in 2027,” Musa said.
