Lagos APC questions Atiku’s credibility after son’s defection
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following the decision of his son, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, to join the ruling party.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 16, 2026, the APC described the move as a significant blow to the political credibility of the former Vice President, who recently moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Lagos APC Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, noted that the decision of the younger Atiku, popularly known as Abba, to reject his father’s political path represents a “political earthquake” with far-reaching implications.
According to the statement titled “You Can’t Trust Atiku More Than His Son,” the APC argued that the defection speaks louder than any press conference or political rebuttal. The party questioned how the former Vice President expects the nation to believe in his political convictions when his own son is unconvinced by his choices. Oladejo further accused Atiku of having a history of “ideological wanderings” and serial defections, describing his political journey as a nomadic ambition in search of a platform for his presidential aspirations.
The APC maintained that the younger Atiku‘s alignment with the ruling party is an endorsement of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The party welcomed Abba into its fold, declaring that his move marks a generational rejection of “recycled politics” and ambitions without clear conviction. They insisted that for any leader to be credible nationally, they must first inspire confidence and loyalty within their own immediate constituency and home.
Atiku reacts as son pledges support for Tinubu’s second term
In response to the viral development, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described his son’s defection to the APC as a “personal choice” that should not be a cause for alarm. Speaking through a statement on Friday, the former Vice President insisted that in a democracy, individuals are free to make choices based on their own conscience, even when family and politics intersect. He stated that he does not coerce his children in matters of belief and remains focused on working with patriots to offer Nigerians a credible alternative to the current administration.
The younger Atiku formally announced his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the National Assembly in Abuja. He was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside several key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone. Abba pledged to mobilize support for President Tinubu‘s re-election bid in 2027, citing the leadership style of the Senate leadership and the performance of the current administration as his primary motivations.
During the event, Abba also directed all coordinators of his political structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation, to immediately join the APC. He emphasized that his decision was based on ideology and a desire to align with policies that he believes are working for the benefit of the country. This public alignment with his father’s primary political rival has sparked intense debate across the country, with many analyzing what this means for the opposition coalition under the ADC.
Political observers weigh in on generational shifts in parties
The defection of Abubakar Atiku Abubakar has been described by some political analysts as a symbolic shift in Nigeria’s political landscape. While some members of the APC, like former aspirant Adamu Garba, have cautioned against celebrating the move too loudly, others see it as a sign of the ruling party’s growing influence. Garba warned that the moral implications of a child “jettisoning” their father’s political path during a critical time could be troubling for parents within the party.
Despite these concerns, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the day as one of his “happiest,” noting that it reflects “politics without borders.” He assured Abba of equal rights and opportunities within the party, noting that his decision was bold and principled. The ADC, which Atiku joined in late 2025, is currently working to build a formidable front for the 2027 elections, but this recent development has provided the ruling party with significant propaganda material.
As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, the narrative of “credibility beginning at home” is likely to feature prominently in the campaigns. The APC has vowed to continue its consolidation drive, while Atiku remains resolute in his mission to challenge the status quo through the ADC. The coming months will reveal whether this familial political split will have a lasting impact on the electorate’s perception of the key players involved in the race for the presidency.
