Says: “As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”
BY VICTOR BUORO – Nigeria’s former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says one of his sons’ decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) is entirely a personal and democratic choice.
Atiku was reacting to his son, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, popularly known as Abba, recent dumping of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling party.
Breaking his silence on the development, Atiku, in a statement via X, said the decision was not a cause for concern, adding that political choices made by family members were normal in a democracy.
Further explaining that he does not interfere with the conscience of his children or Nigerians, Atiku 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, taking a swipe at the APC, the former PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections said his main concern remained governance and the state of the country.
According to him, “What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people.
“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 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…”
In defecting to the ruling APC, Atiku’s son, Abba pledged to work for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election come 2027 general elections.
Abba was formally received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone, at the National Assembly, Abuja, on Thursday.
Abba, who addressed party leaders and supporters at the occasion, described his decision to join the APC as historic and personal, saying: “My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party, where we worked in 2023, and my decision to join the APC.”
Citing the leadership of the Deputy Senate President as a factor in his decision, Abba said, “Today, I’m here to formally announce my exit from my former party to the APC following the outstanding leadership style and quality of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.”
Pledging to effectively mobilise support for the ruling party ahead of the next election, Abba said: “With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027. To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu.”
