Abba Atiku Backs Tinubu, Vows to Deliver Adamawa for APC

The former Vice-President’s son has launched a pro-Tinubu mobilisation group, setting up a political contrast with his father, who is the ADC’s presidential candidate

Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, pledging to deliver Adamawa State for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

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Abba made the declaration on Friday at the APC national secretariat in Abuja during the unveiling of the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation (HBTO), a political mobilisation platform he founded to galvanise support for Tinubu.

The announcement has drawn attention because his father, Atiku Abubakar, is the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, placing the two family members on opposing political sides.

The event also featured the launch of an HBTO transportation support initiative, beginning with the deployment of 10 luxury buses in the Federal Capital Territory.

Addressing questions about his decision to support his father’s political rival, Abba described his alignment with Tinubu as a personal choice informed by his political convictions rather than family considerations.

He acknowledged that his position could attract public scrutiny because of his relationship with the former Vice-President but maintained that individuals should be free to make independent political decisions.

“I recognise that political decisions, particularly those that differ from the positions of individuals with whom one shares personal and family relationships, often attract considerable public attention,” he said.

“However, political conviction is a matter of personal judgment, conscience, and the freedom of every individual to make independent choices.

My decision to establish and lead the HBTO is a deliberate political choice made with a firm belief in the direction we have chosen.”

The HBTO founder argued that democracy would be strengthened when citizens could freely support political platforms and leaders they believed represented their aspirations, regardless of their family backgrounds.

Explaining his support for Tinubu, Abba cited initiatives and policies of the current administration, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), investments in national infrastructure, increased statutory allocations to state governments and transportation support interventions.

He said political endorsements should be accompanied by practical initiatives that improve the lives of citizens, rather than remain limited to campaign declarations.

As part of that approach, he unveiled the initial fleet of 10 luxury buses under the organisation’s transportation support scheme, which will begin operations in Abuja before expanding to other parts of the country.

“As part of our commitment to complementing the President’s reform agenda with practical interventions, the HBTO is introducing a transportation support initiative through the initial provision of ten luxury buses,” he said.

“Every state will have five or six buses as we expand. This initiative is designed to ease transportation challenges, reduce the burden of commuting on ordinary citizens, and demonstrate practical support.”

Abba also disclosed plans for a nationwide mobilisation exercise, including a proposed two-million-man march across the country’s six geopolitical zones, beginning in Abuja.

He further confirmed plans for political collaboration with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, particularly in efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State.

According to him, the organisation was already activating its political structures in Rivers State ahead of a mobilisation exercise scheduled for the following week.

However, the question of Adamawa State, widely regarded as Atiku Abubakar’s traditional political base, emerged as one of the major highlights of the interaction with journalists.

Asked whether the organisation had the grassroots structure and political influence to secure the state for the APC, Abba expressed confidence in its ability to achieve the objective.

“Yes, yes, yes. We are going to deliver Adamawa State,” he told reporters.

He also rejected suggestions that his support for Tinubu was intended to undermine his father’s presidential ambition, recalling that he had supported the former Vice-President during the 2019 and 2023 election campaigns.

Abba said his current political position reflected his assessment of the Tinubu administration’s policies and reforms, rather than a rejection of his father’s political legacy.

“I’ve always supported my father since I started acting in politics, and I supported him because of what he has done for the country.

But I believe that whenever a government comes out with policies that will help the people, I will join them,” he said.

“It’s not just because it’s my father. I don’t think I am antagonising him; I simply believe in the current government’s policies and the reforms taking place.”

The HBTO chairman expressed appreciation to the APC leadership, party members and grassroots mobilisation structures for welcoming the organisation, saying it was beginning preparations for the 2027 general elections.

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His declaration introduces a notable family political contrast ahead of the polls, with father and son backing different presidential candidates.