Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said he does not interfere in the political choices of his children, describing his son’s decision to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a matter of personal conviction.
Atiku made this known in a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday night, reacting to the defection of his son, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, popularly known as Abba, from the PDP to the APC.
According to Atiku, democratic principles allow individuals to make independent political decisions, even within the same family.
“As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians,” he said.
He stressed that Abba’s decision was neither unusual nor alarming in a democratic setting.
“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,” Atiku added.
However, the former vice president used the opportunity to renew his criticism of the APC-led federal government, citing what he described as poor governance and worsening economic and social conditions across the country.
“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.
Atiku reaffirmed his commitment to working with political allies to provide Nigerians with an alternative leadership, promising continued engagement in the pursuit of good governance and national progress.
“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,” the statement concluded.
His reaction followed the formal defection of Abba earlier on Thursday at the National Assembly, where he was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside other APC leaders.
Announcing his defection, Abba said he had resigned from the PDP and pledged to work for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. He attributed his decision to the leadership qualities of Senator Barau Jibrin and what he described as the policies of the Tinubu administration.
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