Introduction to Abba Atiku Abubakar’s Declaration
Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has publicly declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections. Abubakar made this known during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Tuesday, where he led members of the ‘Haske Atiku Organisation’—now rebranded as the ‘Haske Tinubu Organisation’.
The Solidarity Visit
The delegation met with the Director-General of CBM, Mr Oluwatosin Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr Favour Abayomi. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abubakar had, on Monday, formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to work for President Bola Tinubu’s victory in 2027. He was received by party executives, members, youth groups and supporters at the APC secretariat in Yola, Adamawa.
Reaction to the Defection
The APC chairman in the state, Mr Shuaibu Idris, said Abubakar’s defection signalled President Tinubu’s growing national acceptance, including within opposition circles. According to Abubakar, his decision to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition is driven by his admiration for the economic policies being implemented by the current administration. He said that the administration had introduced policies with every Nigerian in mind.
Economic Policies and Governance
Abubakar said that his long-standing experience in business had given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria. “Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr President are favourable, not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general who are already benefitting from these reforms,” he said. He also said that his decision to join the APC and align with the CBM was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.
Alignment with the City Boy Movement
Abubakar stated, “My joining the APC and the CBM is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality.” In his response, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Mr Oluwatosin Shoga, reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.
Youth Participation in Governance
Shoga said that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates was to ensure that young Nigerians were deliberately positioned for leadership roles, while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process. He also recalled that the movement recently appointed businessman and philanthropist, Obi Cubana, as its South-east Zonal Director. He said that there was also the inauguration of state-level directorates across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
Conclusion
Abba Atiku Abubakar’s declaration of support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid marks a significant shift in political allegiance, driven by his admiration for the current administration’s economic policies. This move, alongside his defection to the APC and alignment with the City Boy Movement, underscores the growing national acceptance of President Tinubu’s leadership. As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections, such endorsements and defections will likely play a crucial role in shaping the country’s political landscape.
FAQs
- Q: Who is Abba Atiku Abubakar?
A: Abba Atiku Abubakar is the son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. - Q: What is the City Boy Movement (CBM)?
A: The City Boy Movement is an organization that aims to promote youth participation in governance and leadership. - Q: Why did Abba Atiku Abubakar defect to the APC?
A: Abubakar defected to the APC due to his admiration for President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and his desire to support the President’s re-election bid. - Q: What is the significance of Abba Atiku Abubakar’s endorsement of President Tinubu?
A: Abubakar’s endorsement signifies growing national acceptance of President Tinubu’s leadership, including within opposition circles.
