APC Questions Atiku’s Credibility After Son’s Defection To Ruling Party

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that Nigerians should not place trust in former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, arguing that his credibility has been undermined by the decision of his son, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, to join the ruling party.

In a press statement on Friday by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC described the move by Atiku’s son from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC as a political earthquake with far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s opposition politics.

Atiku, is one of the opposition figures, who moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to form a stronger opposition party to challenge the APC in 2027 general elections.

According to the party, the decision represents a strong indictment of Atiku’s long-standing presidential ambition and political judgment.

“When a man’s own son deserts his political judgment, repudiates his choices, and embraces an alternative path, Nigerians are entitled to ask: what deeper indictment of credibility is required? If those closest to you are unconvinced by your political convictions, how do you expect an entire nation to suspend disbelief?,” the APC said.

The party accused the former vice president of ideological inconsistency, describing his political career as one marked by serial defections and shifting alliances driven by personal ambition rather than firm principles.

“For decades, Nigerians have endured Atiku Abubakar’s ideological wanderings -a restless political odyssey defined by serial defections, transactional alliances, and an obsession with the Presidency that has outlived both public patience and political relevance. From PDP to AC, back to PDP, and now to the ADC, his politics has been nothing more than a nomadic ambition in search of a party – any party -willing to mortgage its soul,” the statement read.

The Lagos APC argued that the defection of Atiku’s son is not a coincidence but a clear rejection of what it termed recycled politics, adding that the younger Atiku’s move reflects a generational desire for consistency and conviction in leadership.

The party said the decision to join the APC amounted to a vote of confidence in the ruling party’s record of governance and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“Let it be said without equivocation: when credibility collapses at home, it cannot be rehabilitated in the marketplace of national politics. Nigerians are discerning enough to understand that trust begins from within, and leadership that cannot inspire loyalty in its immediate constituency cannot inspire confidence in a nation of over 200 million people,” the APC said.

Welcoming Abubakar into the party, the Lagos APC urged Nigerians to read the political handwriting on the wall, insisting that the era of political inconsistency and ambition without ideology is nearing its end.

Abubakar’s defection was announced on Thursday at the National Assembly in Abuja.

He was formally received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.