Group expels Atiku’s son over APC move: Drama as Abba gets the boot

By: Abudu Olalekan

Political drama as a pro-Atiku group expels Atiku’s son, Abba, for defecting to the APC. See why the Atiku Haske Organisation kicked him out.

Group expels Atiku’s son: The messy divorce between Abba and his father’s loyalists

Politics in Nigeria is never a straight line. It is full of curves, bumps, and sudden U-turns that can leave you dizzy. Just when you think you have seen it all, something new pops up to shock you. This weekend, the drama was served hot from the camp of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. Or rather, a group that swears loyalty to him.

The news hitting the airwaves is loud. A pro–Atiku Abubakar political group, known as the Atiku Haske Organisation, has officially expelled Abba Abubakar.

Yes, you read that right. Abba is the son of the former Vice President. But in politics, blood might be thicker than water, but party loyalty is thicker than both.

The young man was shown the exit door following his recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). It seems you cannot eat your cake and have it.

The Trigger

So, what really happened?

It all started a few days ago. Abba Abubakar decided it was time to move on. He crossed the carpet to the ruling party, the APC. That is normal in politics. People move every day. But Abba didn’t just move alone. Reports say he reportedly directed the members of his political “structure”—the Atiku Haske Organisation—to pack their bags and follow him.

He wanted them to join the APC. He wanted them to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

He probably thought it would be a smooth ride. He is the son of the principal, after all. He thought he had the influence.

He thought wrong.

The Clapback

The response from the group was swift. It was harsh. And it was public.

On Sunday, the group’s convener, a man named Mai Bakari, issued a statement that left no room for doubt. He didn’t mince words. He made it clear that Abba lacks the authority to speak for them. In fact, he said Abba lacks the power to take any decision on behalf of the Atiku Haske Organisation.

Bakari was furious. You could feel the anger in the text. He stressed that Abba was neither the founder of the group nor a principal stakeholder.

“Abba Abubakar is not the originator or owner of the Atiku Haske Organisation. We merely invited him to be part of the group,” Bakari said.

Ouch. That has to hurt. Imagine being told you were just a guest in a house you thought you were leading.

Follow the Money

Then, Bakari went for the jugular. He brought up the issue of money and ownership. In Nigerian politics, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. According to the convener, Abba didn’t pay the piper.

Bakari claimed that Abba neither contributed financially to the organisation nor holds its registration documents. So, on what basis was he giving orders?

The group insisted they are under no obligation to follow any directive issued by him. They are not sheep.

The statement read: “On the contrary, he is subject to our rules and regulations. Having fallen short of our expectations, he has been expressly dismissed as a member of this organisation.”

Dismissed. Expelled. Cancelled.

The ADC Connection

Now, here is where it gets even more interesting. The confusion of parties.

Bakari clarified that the group has absolutely no intention of defecting to the APC. They are not interested in the “Renewed Hope” agenda.

Instead, they are moving to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Bakari insisted that the members had collectively resolved to align with the ADC.

“The Atiku Haske Organisation is not a party to, nor interested in, defecting alongside Abba to any political party other than the ADC. We were formerly in the Peoples Democratic Party and moved en masse to the ADC as an organisation,” he stated to Reportersroom.

This aligns with recent developments regarding the father, Atiku Abubakar. The former VP recently joined the ADC to pursue his presidential ambition for the future. The group is following the father, not the son.

A House Divided?

This development is coming at a time when political realignments are happening everywhere ahead of the 2027 general elections. It is still far away, but the game has started.

Atiku Abubakar had earlier reacted to his son’s defection. He didn’t fight it. He described his son’s defection to the APC as a “personal decision.” He gave him the freedom to choose.

But for the Atiku Haske Organisation, it wasn’t just personal. It was a betrayal of their cause. They couldn’t stay under a leader who was batting for the opposing team.

It is a lesson in political structures. You don’t own the people just because of your surname. You have to earn their loyalty. And you definitely cannot force them to jump ship just because you did.

Abba has gone to the APC to help Tinubu. The group has gone to the ADC to help Atiku. The lines are drawn. The drama continues. Stay tuned to Reportersroom for more updates as we watch how this family and political drama unfolds.