Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has formally switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027.
The defection occurred on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where Abubakar was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, and other senior figures of the ruling party.
Addressing party leaders after his reception, Abubakar said his decision followed careful personal consideration and alignment with the direction of the Tinubu administration.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s leadership and pledged to actively contribute to efforts aimed at securing the President’s re-election in the next general election.
As part of the move, he announced the dissolution of his political support structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation, instructing its coordinators and members nationwide to immediately join the APC and support the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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APC leaders who welcomed him described the development as a notable political gain, particularly in the North-East, and said it reflected shifting alliances as political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.
They added that the defection underscored the growing influence of the ruling party beyond long-standing partisan and familial ties.
The move comes amid increased political activity across party lines, as Nigeria’s major parties begin early calculations and realignments ahead of the next presidential election cycle.