The political feud between the sons of two prominent Nigerian politicians took a new turn this week as Mohammed Atiku-Abubakar, the son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, fired back at Shamsu Bala Mohammed, the son of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. This exchange of words came after Shamsu Mohammed recently stated that his father would not be supporting Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid in 2027.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Mohammed Atiku-Abubakar addressed Shamsu’s comments and strongly refuted them, claiming that the Bauchi governor had never supported his father’s presidential ambitions in both the 2019 and 2023 elections. The younger Atiku accused Shamsu of now revealing the true nature of his family’s lack of support, which had been previously hidden behind a façade of politeness.
“The only difference now is that Shamsu has removed the mask. We no longer need to worry about any feigned impression of support from his father,” Mohammed Atiku-Abubakar declared in the statement.
The comments from Shamsu Bala Mohammed, which sparked the heated exchange, were made in a recent interview where he threatened that his father would not support Atiku Abubakar’s presidential aspirations in the upcoming 2027 elections. Shamsu’s remark seemed to suggest that his father’s political support for Atiku was either non-existent or no longer valid moving forward.
However, Atiku-Abubakar’s response sharply countered these claims, describing Shamsu’s statements as “arrogant” and highlighting the longstanding history of the Bauchi governor’s lack of support for Atiku Abubakar. “Never has Atiku dissipated an ounce of energy towards his father’s political travails,” the statement continued. “Atiku’s politics transcends such shenanigans, and he has consistently remained above board.”
Atiku-Abubakar went further, stating that the political disagreements between Governor Bala Mohammed and other political figures in Bauchi ahead of the 2023 election had nothing to do with his father’s political ambitions. He described those conflicts as purely local issues that had no bearing on Atiku’s bid for the presidency.
The statement also revisited events from the 2023 election cycle, accusing Governor Bala Mohammed of covertly working against Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid. Referring to a comment made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the younger Atiku pointed to Wike’s revelation that Governor Bala Mohammed had secretly plotted to undermine Atiku’s campaign in 2023. “In case Shamsu has been off the news reel, we wish to refer him to a recent remark by his father’s political mentor, Nyesom Wike, who revealed how the Bauchi governor orchestrated plans to ensure that Atiku did not win in the 2023 election,” the statement read.
Atiku’s son also took a direct shot at the governor’s ability to manage his responsibilities within the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) Governors’ Forum. He suggested that the governor’s presidential ambitions were to blame for his failure to command respect among his fellow PDP governors. “Governor Bala Mohammed’s presidential ambition is the reason for his poor management of the PDP Governors’ Forum,” Atiku-Abubakar asserted. “He couldn’t command the respect and control of his colleagues.”
The statement further alluded to Governor Bala Mohammed’s secret dealings with the ruling APC (All Progressives Congress), suggesting that the Bauchi governor had been in close contact with President Bola Tinubu’s government, which raised questions about his loyalty to the PDP.
While addressing Shamsu Bala Mohammed directly, Atiku-Abubakar urged him to focus on more constructive political discourse rather than engaging in “needless rantings.” He reminded Shamsu that the primary goal for all Nigerians should be to promote politics that advance the welfare of the country, not engage in petty political squabbles.
“Let me conclude by telling my brother, Shamsu, that the focus of every patriotic Nigerian should be on promoting political discourse that advances our dear country Nigeria, not on needless rantings,” he said in his statement.
The verbal clash between the two sons of prominent political figures highlights the ongoing tension within the PDP, as the party continues to grapple with internal divisions and struggles for influence. Despite these personal attacks, the core issue remains the future direction of Nigerian politics and the competition for political power in the upcoming 2027 elections.
Atiku Abubakar, who has run for president multiple times and was the PDP’s candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections, continues to be a significant player in the country’s political landscape. His son’s comments serve as a reminder of the complex and often contentious dynamics within the PDP, as party leaders and their families navigate personal ambitions and national interests.
The ongoing political drama between the Atikus and the Mohammeds raises critical questions about the future of the PDP and its ability to unite its key stakeholders. With the 2027 elections looming, the party’s internal divisions and infighting may prove to be a critical factor in shaping the outcome of the presidential race.
For now, it remains to be seen whether the exchange of words between the two political families will have any lasting impact on the political careers of Atiku Abubakar, Governor Bala Mohammed, or their respective supporters. What is clear, however, is that the battle for political relevance in Nigeria continues to be a high-stakes contest, filled with personal rivalries and strategic maneuvering.
As the political season heats up in the coming months, Nigerians can expect more such exchanges, as key figures seek to solidify their positions and prepare for the pivotal 2027 election.
