The defection of Abubakar “Abba” Atiku, son of the former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from the PDP to the APC has generated reactions from several political figures.

Recall that Abba left the troubled PDP to join the ruling APC on January 15, at an event held at the National Assembly in Abuja.

He was accepted by the ruling party by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), alongside senior APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.

Speaking at the event, Abba pledged to calvanise the base of the party for President Bola Tinubu, who will be running for a second term in office in 2027.

This could mean Abba will campaign against his father, who is predicted to scoop the ticket of the African Democratic Congress.

Reacting to his son's defection, the former Vice President, in a statement, said Abba's decision was “entirely personal” and underscored his commitment to democratic norms.

According to him, every individual in his family has their political choices and this move should not be regarded as unusual or alarming in a democracy.

“As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians,” Atiku added.

He restated his criticism of the APC’s governance and outlined his resolve to work with allies to offer Nigerians an alternative.

There have been mixed reactions from the ruling party ranks to Abba’s move.

APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and reflective of “politics without borders,” welcoming the younger Atiku into the party fold.

Senator Jibrin also hailed Abba’s decision as bold and principled, saying it was based on conviction rather than family ties.

A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, went further to describe the move as a form of “return home” to the APC.

The Lagos State chapter of the APC described the decision as a major blow to Atiku’s political credibility.

Its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, in a statement on Thursday said the party noted “with unmistakable clarity the political earthquake” occasioned by Abba’s decision to abandon the “pretentious ADC contraption” and pitch his tent with the APC.

“This singular act has said more than a thousand press conferences ever could,” Oladejo said.

He added that “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”.

For his part, a former APC presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, cautioned party members against celebrating the development, describing it as troubling rather than commendable.

Amid these reactions, Joe Igbokwe has weighed in, expressing optimism and caution.

In a social media post, he welcomed news of the younger Atiku’s defection but cautioned the party against internal sabotage.

According to him, “I hear that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s son has joined APC. I hope it is real oooo. We do not want a mole in the house oooo. Ka fi suru oooooo.”