My son’s defection to APC a personal choice – Atiku

By Editor

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said the decision of his son, Abba Abubakar, to defect to the All Progressives Congress was “a personal choice” and should not create any worries.

Atiku, who issued a statement on Thursday via X, said political choices made by family members were normal in a democracy and insisted he did not interfere with the conscience of his children or Nigerians.

He wrote, “The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal. In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect.

“As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”

Atiku, however, blasted the APC, saying his main concern remained governance and the state of the country. “What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people,” he said.

 “I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress.”

Abba Abubakar defected from the PDP to the ruling APC following an announcement made on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja, where Abba was formally received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone. Abba thereafter pledged to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.