2027: Intrigues as Atiku’s son dumps PDP for APC, pledges to deliver Tinubu’s second term
2027: Intrigues as Atiku’s Son Dumps PDP for APC, Pledges to Deliver Tinubu’s Second Term
By Idun Maximus
In a development that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to work for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
The younger Atiku, popularly known as “Abba”, was received on Thursday at the National Assembly by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone, in what party leaders described as a major boost for the APC’s consolidation drive ahead of the next general election.
Speaking at the event, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar announced his resignation from the PDP and declared his full alignment with the APC, describing the moment as both historic and personal.
He also directed all coordinators and members of the political organisations he founded in 2022, formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, to immediately align with the APC and support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said, “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.
“Today, I’m here to formally announce my exit from my former party to the APC following the outstanding leadership style and quality of His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin.
“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. GCFR come 2027. To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association to join APC and work for President Tinubu.”
Welcoming him into the APC, the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, noting that it underscored what he called “politics without borders.”
Salihu said, “Today is one of my happiest days. We are looking beyond old social and political cleavages. This young man has seen the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and decided to align with them.”
He stressed that the APC remained a progressive party driven by ideology and policy, not personal ambition, assuring the new entrant of equal rights and privileges.
Delivering his remarks, Senator Barau congratulated Abba for what he described as a “bold, wise and principled decision,” assuring him and his supporters of maximum support within the party.
Barau said, “You have made a decision based on ideology. You didn’t come here because of your father. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his ideology and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The Deputy Senate President disclosed that Abba, who had been following political developments in the United States, was impressed by the administration’s reforms and outreach efforts, prompting him to return home and join the APC.
Barau said, “He is young, focused and determined to contribute to shaping the future of our country. This is the kind of youth Nigeria needs.”
Also speaking, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance and support.
“Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father. Your decision is like returning home. You and your coordinators have a future in this party,” Abdullahi said.
On behalf of the group, the Kano State Coordinator, Hon. Mubarak Musa, described the defection as a strategic move, stressing that the group’s political activities would now be coordinated through Senator Barau.
“We have worked around the clock for our former platform. We will double our efforts and deliver for the APC in 2027.
Musa described Senator Barau as their political father and a pillar of the party in the North.
The highlight of the event was the renaming of the political association of Abba, Haske Atiku, to Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signalling a complete realignment of its structure and mission ahead of 2027.
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Gov. Ododo Orders Demolition of Criminal Hideout in Okene, Invalidates Illegally Acquired Properties
By Ndukaku Ihe
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has ordered the demolition of a notorious structure popularly known as Sambel Joint in Idoji, Okene Local Government Area, following credible intelligence reports linking the facility to criminal activities.
The demolition came hours after the Kogi State Government issued a statement on Thursday invalidating all fraudulently and illegally acquired properties across the state, declaring them null, void, and of no legal effect.
The statement warned that any property found to have been illegally acquired or used for criminal purposes would be reclaimed by the government, while those involved would be prosecuted.
In line with the directive, properties located at GP. 23A, 23B, 24A & 24B (Government Quarters, Idoji, Okene), with Certificate of Occupancy number KG. 13958, were this morning invalidated and demolished after investigations confirmed that they were illegally acquired and being used as hideouts for criminal elements.
Government sources disclosed that the properties violated the Kogi State Land Administration Law as well as the Anti-Kidnapping Law, having been unlawfully occupied and converted into operational bases for criminal activities.
The decisive action followed sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering which revealed that the location had become a haven for criminals, posing serious security threats to residents and commuters within the area.
Speaking during the demolition exercise, Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to security, stressing that the protection of lives and livelihoods remains his foremost responsibility.
“We are here to carry out an action that is in the best interest of our people. What I have sworn in to do is to protect the lives and livelihoods of my people, and as such, I will always work to secure my people,” the governor declared.
Governor Ododo recalled that in a proclamation made in December, he had made it clear that any property found to be harbouring criminals would be demolished, while all occupants and collaborators would be prosecuted.
“This is not new. We already made it clear that any house being used to harbour criminals will go down. These are proactive measures to curb criminality in Kogi State,” he said.
The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support in strengthening security across the state.
“I sincerely appreciate my leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the support he is giving us and for the service he is rendering to ensure that our state is secured from criminal activities that some of our people unfortunately encourage,” he said.
According to the governor, investigations revealed that the demolished properties belong to the government but were illegally taken over and converted into criminal operational bases.
“This demolition you are seeing here today is to give our people the needed security they deserve. We discovered that criminals have taken over this property, and when we realized that their activities were giving our people unrest, we had to take a bold decision,” Ododo explained.
He warned criminals and their collaborators, vowing that his administration would show no tolerance for crime in any part of the state.
“I will never negotiate with any criminal. We will take the fight to them anywhere they are. If you harbour criminals, your house will go down. If you keep criminals, your house will go down,” the governor warned.
Governor Ododo emphasized that the operation was aimed at restoring peace and ensuring residents can live without fear.
“We are here to carry out this exercise so that our people can sleep with both of their eyes closed,” he added.
Security sources disclosed that the location had been under close monitoring following repeated complaints from residents about suspicious movements, influx of unknown persons, and activities capable of breaching public peace.
Residents of Idoji community commended the governor’s swift intervention, describing the demolition as a bold and timely action that will enhance security and restore confidence in Okene and its environs.
A resident, Mallam Raji Sanni told newsmen that the structure has been harbouring many criminals that have been terrorising the area, commending the governor for liberating the people from the nefarious activities of the hoodlums who occupied the demolished structure.
Governor Ododo reiterated that Kogi State will not serve as a safe haven for criminals, stressing that peace and security remain central to the development agenda of his administration.
