Politics
Defection: APC Commends Atiku for Respecting Son’s Political Choice
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed speculation that the defection of Abba Atiku could destabilise the ruling party, instead praising former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for what it described as a mature, hands-off response.
The APC also insisted that the ruling party remains too structured and disciplined to be infiltrated.
The party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, made the position known in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH while reacting to the political debate and suspicion that followed the younger Atiku’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
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Duru said the APC respected Atiku’s public stance on the matter, noting that the former Vice President had clearly distanced himself from his son’s political decision and refrained from imposing his views, a move he said reflected democratic values.
He said, “It’s very difficult to discuss a father and son relationship. What happens in the family stays in the family. Again, I believe that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar has issued a statement in this respect.
He does not impose on his family, children, or Nigerians.
“We should hold him to that and respect the views that he has expressed, with respect to the fact that one of his own sons, instead of joining the ADC, decided to pitch his tent with the APC.
“We commend him, as always, for his mature response to what many may consider to be adversarial to his interests, and then hope that Nigerians will respect his views, with respect to his response to this defection, as well as the view of his son, who has decided, instead of ADC, to be part of the APC.”
Responding to speculation in some quarters that Abba Atiku could be entering the ruling party as a mole, Duru dismissed such fears, insisting that the APC’s internal discipline and organisational structure were strong enough to withstand any individual influence.
“We welcome all shades of opinion, categories of people that would have seen the overwhelming machine that the APC represents. It is impossible for one man or a person to come into the APC and disrupt the organisation and the discipline for which the APC is noted.
“APC is a political party that is anchored on several pillars. One of such pillars is around discipline, the other is on hierarchy, and then, more importantly, focus on providing leadership at the party level and also as a vehicle for ushering in a Nigeria that all of us can be proud of,” he stated.
Duru’s remarks followed the public reaction of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, who distanced himself from his son’s defection, describing it as a personal decision.
Atiku broke his silence on Thursday via his verified handle on X, hours after Abba formally defected from the PDP to the APC and pledged to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
He wrote, “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.”
The former Vice President, however, reiterated his criticism of the APC-led Federal Government, linking the development to what he described as governance failures.
“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 added, “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.”
Abba announced his defection on Thursday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where he was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside other APC leaders from the North-East.
He pledged to support President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, citing the leadership style of Senator Barau and the policies of the Tinubu administration.
He also directed members of his political structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation, founded in 2022, to join the APC in support of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Following the defection, the group announced it had been renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signalling full alignment with President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dan Ulasi, has warned that the party stands little chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections if Nyesom Wike continues to play a leading role while allegedly supporting the ruling government.
Ulasi, who spoke during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, expressed deep concern over what he described as a “contradictory situation” within the PDP, stressing that such internal inconsistencies could weaken the party’s credibility and chances at the polls.
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“I don’t see my party as presently constituted challenging Tinubu with Wike as national leader,” Ulasi said, warning that he may be forced to leave the party if the issue is not addressed.
The PDP stalwart argued that Wike cannot effectively serve as a leader in the opposition while maintaining close ties with President Tinubu, describing the situation as “unconstructive” for a party seeking to reclaim power at the national level.
He further questioned what role Wike would play if another candidate emerges as the PDP’s presidential flag-bearer ahead of the 2027 election, asking whether the former Rivers State governor would actively participate in party rallies or align with the ruling party’s activities.
Ulasi warned that the party’s next meeting could be his last if its leadership fails to provide satisfactory explanations, insisting that he cannot continue to be part of a process riddled with contradictions.
In a related development, Ulasi revealed that Peter Obi had visited him several times this year, including a recent meeting following an appearance in Enugu.
He spoke positively about Obi’s vision for Nigeria, noting that the former presidential candidate offers a sense of hope for the country’s future, although he stopped short of declaring any political alignment.
Reflecting on his longstanding ties to the PDP, Ulasi recalled his role during the party’s formation alongside late former Vice-President Alex Ekueme and other founding members.
Despite his deep connection to the party, he maintained that he would rather step aside than remain in a system he considers inconsistent.
He added that if he eventually exits the PDP, he has no plans to join another political party, stating that he would instead operate as a private consultant.
There was tension within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday after former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alleged that he was barred from attending a stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Ijebu Ode.
The meeting, which took place at Adeola Odutola Hall, was reportedly convened to bring together key party stakeholders, including current and former local government chairmen, councillors, and serving as well as former lawmakers from both state and national levels.
However, the senator, in a viral video circulating online, claimed he was denied entry into the venue despite being part of the expected attendees.
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Speaking from his branded campaign bus parked at the venue, Daniel expressed disappointment over the situation, saying he and his team were stopped from accessing the meeting.
He further questioned the legitimacy of any resolutions reached at the gathering, suggesting that the outcome of the meeting should not be considered valid.
As of press time, the Ogun State APC leadership had yet to issue an official response to the allegation.
The lingering leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set for a crucial legal test as the Supreme Court of Nigeria prepares to hear an appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark.
Mark is challenging a legal action brought by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, over the control and leadership structure of the ADC.
The case, scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, is expected to determine the direction of the party amid deepening internal divisions.
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Through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is seeking an order to stay the execution of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, pending the final resolution of the matter.
He also urged the apex court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from making any alterations to the party’s leadership as currently constituted under his faction.
In addition, Mark is asking the court to suspend further proceedings in a related suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The dispute dates back to a September 4, 2025 ruling by the Federal High Court following an ex parte application filed by Bala, which has since fueled competing claims to the party’s leadership.
The ADC has, in recent months, been embroiled in a bitter factional crisis, with rival camps asserting legitimacy.
The situation has been worsened by conflicting court orders and administrative uncertainty surrounding who truly leads the party.
Tensions escalated after INEC reportedly removed Mark as the party’s national chairman from its official records, sparking protests by his loyalists.
The demonstration drew prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In response, the Bala-led faction staged a counter-protest, insisting on recognition by INEC as the legitimate leadership of the party.
As the battle shifts to the Supreme Court, political observers say the outcome could decisively shape the future of the ADC, particularly as political alignments begin to take form ahead of upcoming elections.
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