Former Chief of Air Staff and 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State, Sadiq Baba Abubakar, has announced his exit from active politics.
Abubakar made the announcement in a post shared on his X handle on Sunday, May 17, 2026, declaring that he would no longer participate in political contests.
The retired Air Marshal stated that he no longer belongs to any political party but would continue contributing to national development as an ordinary citizen.
He wrote, “I say goodbye to the murky waters of Nigerian politics. I no longer belong to any political party and will therefore not vie for any office.
“However, I will continue to support ordinary Nigerians to the best of my ability.”
Abubakar ventured into politics shortly after retiring from the military in 2021.
He quickly emerged as a major opposition figure during the 2023 governorship election in Bauchi State, contesting under the APC platform against incumbent Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Despite mounting a strong campaign, he lost the governorship race to Bala Mohammed.
His announcement comes amid recent speculation over a possible political comeback following the circulation of posters across parts of Bauchi metropolis linking him to a potential 2027 governorship bid under the Action Democratic Party.
The declaration effectively puts an end to rumours of his return to the ballot and signals a complete withdrawal from Nigeria’s partisan political landscape.
Abubakar’s exit marks the end of a relatively brief political journey that followed a distinguished military career.
What You Should Know
Sadiq Baba Abubakar’s decision to quit politics is significant given his profile as a former military chief and his emergence as a notable opposition figure in Bauchi after retirement.
His statement appears to shut down speculation about a 2027 governorship comeback and reflects the challenges many retired military officers face when transitioning into Nigeria’s highly competitive political environment.
By distancing himself from partisan politics while pledging continued support for ordinary Nigerians, Abubakar may be positioning himself for a non-partisan public service role.
His departure also reshapes the political calculations in Bauchi ahead of 2027, particularly for opposition parties seeking credible challengers.
