A significant political rift has opened within the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, following the dramatic expulsion of his son, Abba Atiku Abubakar, from a key support group. The Atiku Haske Organisation (AHO) announced the move, citing alleged attempts by Abba to unilaterally alter the group's political direction and alignment.
Expulsion Over Alleged Unauthorised Directives
The decision to expel Abba Atiku Abubakar was made public in a statement issued on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The statement was signed by the organisation's National Secretary and Coordinator, Hon. Mai Nagge Musa Bakari. Bakari, who is also the Initiator and Convener of AHO, stated that Abba Atiku had no authority to issue directives to the group.
"The Atiku Haske Organisation was founded by us. Abba was merely invited to join the group. He neither contributed a single naira to the organisation nor does he possess its certificate of registration. We are therefore under no obligation to adhere to any directive from him," Bakari declared. He emphasized that any instruction allegedly issued by Abba regarding the group's political stance was "null, void and dead on arrival."
AHO Denies Defection, Reaffirms ADC Loyalty
In the same statement, the organisation forcefully dismissed widespread speculation that it had defected to another political party. This clarification comes shortly after Abba Atiku Abubakar's own highly publicized move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where he endorsed President Bola Tinubu's speculated second-term ambition for the 2027 elections.
Bakari stressed that AHO remains firmly aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He explained that while the group was formerly within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it had collectively resolved to move en masse to the ADC, a decision that remains unchanged despite the actions of individual members.
Continued Support for Atiku Amid Family Rift
In a notable twist, the organisation used the statement to reaffirm its unwavering loyalty and support for Abba's father, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The group described him as a credible leader committed to good governance and alleviating the suffering of Nigerians.
"We remain strongly committed to good governance and to alleviating the suffering of Nigerians, and we continue to support His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as the most credible candidate to achieve these objectives," the statement read. This creates a complex political picture where a key support group stands firmly with the father while expelling the son.
The group concluded by urging Abba Atiku to stop identifying himself as a member and challenged him to form his own political group if he so desired. This expulsion highlights the intricate and often turbulent dynamics at the intersection of family loyalty and political ambition in Nigeria, setting a dramatic stage for the evolving alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
