ATIKU ON SON’S DEFECTION TO APC: ‘I don’t coerce my children in matters of conscience’

*Insists he’s working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance

BY ORIAKU IJELE

Former Vice President and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC has accepted his son’s defection to the All Progressives Congress in good faith, saying it was part of democracy, which comes with choices. In a post immediately after news of his son, Abba Abubakar’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the APC, 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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Atiku’s son, who announced his defection yesterday at the National Assembly was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), alongside APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.

According to Abba Abubakar, “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.

“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. To this effect, I am directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu”.