PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The defection of Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to stir debate within Nigeria’s political circles, drawing sharp reactions from analysts and party leaders.
The development, which occurred at the National Assembly complex, has generated mixed reactions, with some critics describing the move as ill-timed and reprehensible, given Atiku Abubakar’s position as a leading opposition figure expected to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
However, an erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has described the defection as historic and deeply symbolic, insisting that it underscores Atiku Abubakar’s credentials as one of Africa’s leading democrats.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Eze, an APC chieftain, said Atiku’s decision to treat his son’s defection as a personal choice had set a moral and political standard in Nigeria’s democratic practice.
According to him, by supporting Abba’s right to political association, the former vice president had “once again raised the bar of democracy,” proving himself a principled and tolerant leader committed to democratic ideals.
“This singular act has shown that Atiku is a refined and principled democrat, full of political tolerance and sagacity,” Eze said, adding that the former vice president’s disposition had placed him among Africa’s foremost champions of democracy.
He further argued that Atiku’s conduct contrasted sharply with what he described as President Tinubu’s alleged intolerance of opposition voices, accusing the current administration of using state institutions to intimidate and weaken rival political parties ahead of the 2027 polls.
“When you see a democrat, you know by his actions and inactions,” Eze said, adding that coercion and witch-hunting of opposition politicians were antithetical to democratic governance.
The APC chieftain also claimed that Atiku’s tolerance had diminished President Tinubu’s self-acclaimed status as a democrat, alleging that the ruling party was dismantling opposition platforms through “undemocratic acts” to forestall credible competition in 2027.
Eze cautioned the president against assuming that recent defections to the APC guaranteed electoral victory, warning that coercion and political pressure would not secure public support.
In his reaction, Atiku Abubakar maintained that his son’s decision to join the APC was strictly personal and posed no cause for alarm.
“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal,” Atiku said. “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.”
The former vice president, who is seeking the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reiterated his commitment to building a broad coalition of reform-minded leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.
