Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, says his son Abba’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) was made independently and without his influence.
In a statement on X, Atiku stated that his personal belief in democratic values prevents him from directing his children on issues of conscience.
Recall that NAIJAONPOINT reported on Thursday that Atiku’s son had defected to the APC to mobilise support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu who defeated his father in the 2023 poll.
He also disclosed that his political structure, founded in 2022 as the Atiku Haske Organisation, had been renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal,” Atiku wrote in a post on X.
“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, who is now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), an opposition party seeking to stop Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, said his attention remains fixed on governance concerns.
“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.”
In the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar finished second on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party with 6,984,520 votes.
Bola Tinubu, candidate of the APC, was declared winner of the election with 8,794,726 votes by the electoral umpire.
Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party, came third with 6,101,533 votes.