A senior All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Joe Igbokwe, has reacted to the decision by Abubakar “Abba” Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, to join the APC, rejecting claims that the party would accept “moles” or insiders planted to weaken it. Igbokwe spoke on Friday as debate continues over the political implications of Abba’s defection.
Abba’s move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC took place on Thursday at the National Assembly, where he formally announced his decision and pledged support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.
He was welcomed into the party by Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate, along with APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.
Igbokwe said the APC has no interest in members who might sabotage the party from within. He stressed that anyone who joins must be committed to the party’s goals and principles, not hidden actors intending to weaken it from the inside. Critics and political commentators had speculated that Abba’s defection could be a political tactic by opponents. Igbokwe dismissed such suggestions.
His remarks aim to reassure party members and supporters that the APC will maintain unity and discipline ahead of the 2027 general elections. Igbokwe’s comments reflect broader tensions in Nigeria’s political landscape as major figures and their allies make strategic moves between parties.
Abba’s defection was described by APC officials as a personal and historic choice. At the event, he pledged loyalty to the APC and directed coordinators and members of his political network, formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation, to align with the APC and champion President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his announcement, Abba said he chose the APC based on his belief in the party’s leadership and policies, which he said better align with his vision for Nigeria’s future ahead of the 2027 polls.
The development has drawn public attention because it represents a high-profile defection from a leading opposition family, where political loyalty and strategy are intensely debated. Some analysts see the move as symbolic, while others view it as a test of party cohesion and message discipline.
Igbokwe’s remarks make clear that the APC sees Abba’s entry not as an infiltration but as a genuine political realignment. He said the party expects all new members to be loyal, active participants in its political project rather than disruptive forces.
The response highlights how political parties in Nigeria are trying to manage high-profile defections without internal discord, reminding supporters that allegiance and clear political purpose remain central to party strength ahead of critical elections.
