Politics
SHOCKING: Atiku’s Son Abba defects to APC, Pledges Support For Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election
In a surprising development that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, popularly known as Abba and son of former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the National Assembly in Abuja, where Abba was warmly received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East zone, including the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu.
Abba, who founded the political platform Haske Atiku Organisation in 2022 to support his father’s 2023 presidential bid, declared his resignation from the PDP as a personal and historic decision. He cited his conviction in the leadership of Senator Barau Jibrin and the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as key factors influencing his move.
“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,” he stated.
He further pledged full commitment to mobilizing support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition in 2027, directing all coordinators and members of his former organization to immediately align with the APC and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To this effect, I am directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu,” Abba added.
In a symbolic high point of the event, the Haske Atiku Organisation was officially renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signaling a complete realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Welcoming the defector, Senator Barau described the move as bold, wise, and principled, noting that Abba — who had been monitoring developments from the United States — was impressed by the Tinubu administration’s reforms.
“You have taken a decision based on ideology. You did not come here because of your father. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his ideology, and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Barau remarked.
APC National Vice Chairman (North-East) Comrade Mustapha Salihu hailed the defection as symbolic and reflective of “politics without borders,” assuring Abba of equal opportunities within the party. A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, welcomed him as a “homecoming,” stating, “Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father.
Your decision guarantees a future in this party.
“Abba’s political structure and grassroots network are seen by APC leaders as a significant boost to the party’s consolidation efforts in the North ahead of 2027.
The development comes amid ongoing realignments in Nigerian politics, with the APC positioning itself strongly for continuity and the opposition grappling with internal dynamics.
Politics
ADC unveils 28 governorship candidates for 2027 election
Among the candidates are Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour for Lagos State, Isa Mohammed Ashiru for Kaduna, Great Ogboru in Delta, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita in Katsina and Abubakar Malami in Kebbi.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled its governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections across 28 states.
The party announced the candidates in a statement on Friday, highlighting its commitment to presenting what it described as credible leadership and a viable alternative for Nigerians.
Among the candidates are Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour for Lagos State, Isa Mohammed Ashiru for Kaduna, Great Ogboru in Delta, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita in Katsina and Abubakar Malami in Kebbi.
The party also fielded candidates in several other states, including Adamawa, Kano, Rivers, Oyo, Ogun, Plateau and Zamfara.
The party said the candidates would carry its banner and its commitment to offering Nigerians credible leadership and a “real alternative” in the elections.
Politics
Nduka Obaigbena Challenges Tinubu, Atiku, Obi on 2027 election campaigns
” How do we deal with insecurity? Is state police an answer? What does Abubakar Atiku think? What does Peter Obi think? Let us debate our future on policies.”
PUBLISHER and Broadcaster,Prince Nduka Obaigbena, has urged 2027 presidential candidates to shun smear campaigns and focus on policy issues.
Obaigbena made the call, yesterday, during a panel discussion at the centenary celebration of the Daily Times of Nigeria held at the THISDAY DOME in Abuja.
The event, themed: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future,” also featured the unveiling of the Nigerian Grand Book and the recognition of Nigerians, who have contributed significantly to the development of the country.
The media mogul participated in the session with a former Managing Director of the Daily Times, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, and business executive, Mustafa Chike-Obi.
Speaking on the 2027 elections, Obaigbena enjoined the presidential candidates and other political leaders to engage Nigerians in substantive debates on policies, rather than spend time on frivolities.
He said: “I believe I should implore our leaders to fight the election on policies. Should we have subsidy or should we not? Let us debate it.
“Should we go back to the command-and-control exchange rates, or should we allow the markets? Should we have tax reforms such that we can equaliser the gaps between the rich and the poor?
“How do we deal with insecurity? Is state police an answer? What does Abubakar Atiku think? What does Peter Obi think? Let us debate our future on policies.”
Politics
Timipre Sylva resigns from APC membership
“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.”
Former governor of Bayelsa State Timipre Sylva on Monday resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect.
Sylva announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the APC chairman in Ward 4, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Sylva, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he was saddened by the direction the party had taken.
“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted,” he said.
His resignation comes amid legal and political controversies surrounding him.
In November 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Sylva wanted over an alleged case involving conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
He was also named among suspects in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration and is listed as one of the defendants in a 13-count charge filed by the federal government over the alleged coup plot.
Sylva, however, said his decision to leave the APC was driven by his opposition to what he described as a political mentality that considers “all is fair in politics”.
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