As the 2027 general election nears, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has suffered a significant setback, losing a major faction of his northern support base to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At an event in Abuja on Friday, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau formally welcomed defectors from the 19 northern states. The defectors, formerly part of the Coalition of Atiku Support Groups from the 2023 election, announced their departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC.
Representatives from all 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory attended the event, pledging their support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
Explaining their defection, the group credited discussions with Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau as a key factor in their decision.
The coalition’s coordinator, Abubakar Malami, emphasized the diverse composition of their members, stating, “Our groups include people from all walks of life—women, youths, students, traders, academics, and farmers—spanning various religious and ethnic backgrounds.
“During the buildup to the 2023 general election, we mobilized our members across the 19 northern states and the FCT to campaign for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. By the grace of God, Atiku and his team recognized and appreciated our efforts. We played a crucial role in the votes he secured in the last election.”
“We supported Atiku in the hope of addressing the challenges plaguing our region, particularly terrorism and banditry, which severely disrupted economic activities. Farming, the backbone of our people, became nearly impossible as farmlands turned into kidnappers’ hideouts,” Malami stated.
He further emphasized the positive changes under President Bola Tinubu, saying, “Twenty-two months into his tenure, a new wave of peace and hope is sweeping across the 19 northern states. The decline in food prices is directly linked to the relative stability now being experienced in our region.”
Malami also commended Tinubu for establishing the North West Development Commission, a move made possible by a bill sponsored by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, describing it as a “game changer.”
Malami affirmed the group’s commitment to President Tinubu’s re-election, stating, “In 2027, we will work towards ensuring the continuation of President Tinubu’s administration. We extend our sincere appreciation to His Excellency, Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, for his dedication to addressing the challenges in our region. He is truly the Sardauna Arewa of our time.”
In his remarks, Barau described the defection of Atiku’s northern supporters as a major victory for the APC.
“This is a big catch. Today, our party has made a significant gain,” he said. “Mr. President is a great leader who is working tirelessly to transform Nigeria into a land of prosperity. It is encouraging that you recognize his efforts and have chosen to align with the progress he is making.”
Barau assured the defectors of equal opportunities within the APC, emphasizing their full integration into the party.
Speaking on President Tinubu’s leadership, he remarked, “He is a leader who feels at home in every part of the country. His generosity and hospitality are unmatched. He embodies all the qualities of a great leader.”
In his address, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje praised the defectors for their bold decision, saying, “You are welcome to our party. After the fasting period, all your members will gather in Abuja under the leadership of Senator Barau, where we will invite Mr. President, the Vice President, the Senate President, and the Speaker to formally receive you.”
Ganduje proclaimed the downfall of the PDP, stating, “This marks the end—the collapse and disappearance—of the PDP in Nigeria, not just in the North.”
Speaking on the Anambra governorship election, he asserted, “The PDP extended its screening deadline because no one showed up. Even after the extension expired, still, no candidate came forward. The party is crumbling, fading away at an astonishing rate.”
