Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the decision of his son, Abba Abubakar, to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a personal choice that should not be politicised.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Atiku said his son’s decision to join the ruling party was taken independently and does not reflect his own political position or allegiance.
“My son, Abba Abubakar’s decision to join the APC is completely his own choice. In a democracy, such decisions are neither unusual nor worrisome, even when family and politics overlap,” the former Vice President said.
Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, stressed that democratic politics guarantees freedom of association, noting that individuals are entitled to align with political parties of their choice without undue pressure or interference.
He cautioned against attempts to interpret his son’s defection as a shift in his own political stance, maintaining that political affiliations within a family can differ without undermining mutual respect or shared values.
“Political choices are personal, and they should be respected as such. My position remains clear, and it has not changed,” he added.
Abba Abubakar’s defection to the APC has generated widespread reactions within political circles, especially as it comes at a time of realignments ahead of future electoral contests.
Some observers had speculated that he might join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party currently attracting interest from opposition figures, but his eventual move to the APC has further fueled political debates.
Atiku’s response appears aimed at dousing speculations of an imminent political realignment on his part, reaffirming his long-held stance on democratic principles and political plurality.
