The son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Abba Abubakar has left the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He additionally overtly declared help for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition forward of the 2027 basic election.
The defection was made public on Thursday in Abuja. The announcement occurred on the Nationwide Meeting advanced.
Abba, who was energetic in the course of the 2023 presidential election, formally resigned from the PDP and aligned himself with the ruling occasion. His transfer is being seen as politically vital, given his household background and previous position in opposition politics.
He was acquired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin. Different APC leaders from the North-East had been additionally current.
On the occasion, Abba addressed occasion leaders and supporters. He confirmed his exit from the PDP and introduced his full entry into the APC.
He mentioned, “My identify is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, however everybody calls me Abba. I’m right here right this moment to formally announce my exit from my former occasion, the place we labored in 2023, and my determination to hitch the APC.”
He credited his determination to what he described because the management model of Senator Barau Jibrin.
Abba added, “In the present day, I’m right here to formally announce my exit from my former occasion to the APC following the excellent management model and high quality of His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.”
He went additional to pledge help for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He mentioned, “With this growth, I’ll work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027. To this impact, I’m directing all coordinators of my affiliation to hitch the APC and work for President Tinubu.”
Abba additionally instructed members of his political group to instantly defect with him. The group, referred to as the Haske Atiku Organisation, was shaped in 2022.
The APC Nationwide Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, welcomed Abba into the occasion. He described the defection as symbolic and vital.
Salihu mentioned the transfer confirmed a brand new political course. He famous that the APC was opening its doorways past outdated divisions.
He mentioned, “In the present day is one among my happiest days. We’re wanting past outdated social and political cleavages. This younger man has seen the insurance policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and determined to align with them.”
Salihu assured Abba of equal rights and full participation throughout the APC. He mentioned the occasion was pushed by concepts and governance plans, not private pursuits.
In his remarks, Senator Barau praised Abba’s determination. He described it as brave and considerate.
Barau mentioned Abba’s transfer was not influenced by household ties. He confused that the choice was based mostly on perception in Tinubu’s management.
He mentioned, “You might have decided based mostly on ideology. You didn’t come right here due to your father. You got here since you imagine in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his ideology and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The Deputy Senate President revealed that Abba had been observing political developments from overseas. He mentioned the administration’s reforms and outreach influenced his return and determination.
Barau described Abba as targeted and decided. He mentioned younger individuals like him had been wanted in nationwide politics.
A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, additionally spoke on the occasion. He assured Abba of acceptance throughout the occasion.
He mentioned, “Identical to Atiku, Tinubu can be your father. Your determination is like returning dwelling. You and your coordinators have a future on this occasion.”
Talking on behalf of the defectors, Kano State coordinator Hon. Mubarak Musa mentioned the transfer was strategic. He confirmed that every one political actions of the group would now be coordinated beneath Senator Barau.
He mentioned, “We’ve got labored across the clock for our former platform. We are going to double our efforts and ship for the APC in 2027.”
Musa described Senator Barau as their political chief and a serious power throughout the APC within the North.
The occasion ended with a symbolic gesture. Abba’s political construction was renamed from the Haske Atiku Organisation to the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation.
The renaming signalled an entire political shift. It additionally marked a proper declaration of help for President Tinubu forward of the 2027 election.