The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has described his son’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as entirely personal.
Naijaonpoint reports that the defection of the younger Atiku, popularly known as Abba, was announced on Thursday at the National Assembly.
According to Vanguard, upon defection, Atiku was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), alongside APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
Speaking on the defection, Atiku cited personal and historic reasons.
He also directed all coordinators and members of his political structure, formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, founded in 2022, to immediately join the APC and support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also praised the leadership style of Senator Barau Jibrin and the performance of the Tinubu administration.
In a post via X on Thursday, the former Vice President said such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect.
Atiku stated that he does not coerce his children in matters of conscience, adding that he is more concerned about the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on Nigerian.
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.
“What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people.
“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.”