Haske Group Expels Abba Atiku Over Defection to APC

The Atiku Haske Organisation has announced the expulsion of Abba Atiku Abubakar following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Musa Bakari, initiator and convener of the group, made the announcement in a statement issued on Sunday, stating that Abba’s decision to join the APC was taken without the consent or mandate of the organisation.

Abba, a son of Atiku Abubakar, former vice president and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections, formally defected to the APC on Thursday. After joining the ruling party, he reportedly instructed coordinators and members of his political structure to follow suit and mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. He also announced the rebranding of his political structure as the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation.

Bakari rejected Abba’s actions, saying he had no authority to determine the political direction of the Atiku Haske Organisation. According to him, Abba was neither the founder nor the owner of the group.

“We founded the Atiku Haske Organisation and merely invited Abba to join,” Bakari said. “He has not contributed financially to the organisation and does not hold its registration documents. He therefore lacks the authority to issue directives on its behalf.”

Bakari added that Abba was bound by the organisation’s rules and had violated its resolutions, leading to his dismissal as a member.

He clarified that the Atiku Haske Organisation has no plans to defect to the APC, stressing that the group had resolved to leave the PDP and move collectively to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“What Abba has done is contrary to our values, principles, and collective decision. He is hereby expelled from the organisation,” Bakari said.

The group reaffirmed its political stance, stating that it remains committed to supporting Atiku Abubakar and pursuing what it described as a credible alternative capable of addressing Nigeria’s governance challenges.

“We remain resolute in our belief that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar is best positioned to advance our objectives,” the statement said, adding that Abba’s directive to members was “invalid and without effect.”

Bakari also challenged Abba to establish an independent political group if he had the capacity to do so and urged him to stop identifying himself as a member of the Atiku Haske Organisation.

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar has described his son’s decision to join the APC as a personal choice. He said he respects the right of his children to make independent decisions on political and moral matters.

“In a democracy, such decisions are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect,” Atiku said.