By Safiyat Muhammed | The Bureau Newspaper | Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has finally broken his silence amid growing public concern and inquiries over the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In a strongly worded statement released via his official Facebook page, the former presidential candidate not only addressed the defections but also launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku affirmed his commitment to democratic principles, declaring that freedom of association and expression are cornerstones of any democracy and should never be trivialized.
“Defections, alliances, and realignments are part and parcel of democratic politics. We’ve seen them before, and we’ll see them again,” he wrote.
Amid backlash over his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, Atiku questioned the double standards at play in Nigerian politics. He reminded critics that consulting former leaders is a standard political tradition, citing similar moves during the 2013 opposition merger which involved wide consultations with leaders like Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida.
“If you truly believe in freedom of association, then you must respect the rights of all political actors to engage, regardless of party lines,” Atiku asserted.
He also took a swipe at what he described as hypocrisy and selective outrage, questioning why PDP members forming alliances with President Tinubu are celebrated while his interactions with figures like Peter Obi, Nasir el-Rufai, or Buhari spark criticism.
“The Real Enemy is the Tinubu Administration”
Shifting focus to the country’s state of affairs, Atiku said the upcoming political contest is not about party rivalry but about Nigerians standing up against what he called the “abysmal failure” of the Tinubu-led administration.
“The economy is in freefall. Inflation is choking the masses. Jobs are vanishing. Youth restiveness is surging. Nigerians are not just tired — they are angry, and rightfully so.”
He warned against being distracted by ethnic, religious, or regional divisions, which he said are tactics used by failing governments to deflect from their incompetence.
“Make no mistake — an incompetent captain does not only wreck his ship; he endangers the lives of everyone on board.”
Atiku’s post comes amid a fresh wave of political realignment, particularly in northern Nigeria, where several PDP stalwarts have dumped the party for the APC — fueling speculation about possible power deals ahead of the 2027 elections.
