The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed concerns that the defection of Abba Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, could destabilise the ruling party, describing such fears as unfounded.
The party also praised Atiku Abubakar for what it described as a mature and democratic response to his son’s political decision, insisting that the APC remains too structured and disciplined to be infiltrated or destabilised by any individual.
The Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, stated this in an interview with The PUNCH while reacting to debates and suspicions that followed Abba Atiku’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling party.
Duru said the APC respected the former Vice President’s public stance on the matter, noting that Atiku had clearly distanced himself from his son’s decision and refrained from imposing his views.
“It’s very difficult to discuss father and son relationship. What happens in the family stays in the family,” Duru said.
“Again, I believe that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar has issued a statement in this respect. He does not impose on his family, children, or Nigerians.
“We should hold him to that and respect the views that he has expressed, with respect to the fact that one of his sons, instead of joining the ADC, decided to pitch his tent with the APC.”
He added that the party commended Atiku for his response to what many might view as politically adversarial.
“We commend him, as always, for his mature response to what many may consider to be adversarial to his interests, and we hope Nigerians will respect his views, as well as the view of his son, who has decided, instead of ADC, to be part of the APC,” Duru said.
Responding to speculation in some quarters that Abba Atiku could be entering the party as a mole, Duru dismissed such fears, stressing that the APC’s internal discipline and organisational structure remain strong.
“We welcome all shades of opinion and categories of people who have seen the overwhelming machine that the APC represents,” he said.
“It is impossible for one man or person to come into the APC and disrupt the organisation and discipline for which the APC is noted.
“APC is a political party anchored on several pillars. One of such pillars is discipline, another is hierarchy, and more importantly, a focus on providing leadership at the party level and as a vehicle for ushering in a Nigeria that all of us can be proud of.”
Duru’s remarks followed a public statement by Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, who distanced himself from his son’s defection, describing it as a personal choice.
Atiku, in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, said, “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.”
However, the former Vice President reiterated his criticism of the APC-led Federal Government, linking his concerns to governance challenges.
“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 wrote.
“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 Atiku formally announced his defection on Thursday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where he was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, and other APC leaders from the North-East.