Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A former Chief of Air Staff and one-time Bauchi governorship candidate has announced his complete withdrawal from partisan politics, ending widespread speculation about a potential 2027 rerun and marking a significant departure from Nigeria’s political landscape.
Air Marshal Saddique Baba Abubakar (retd.), the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 Bauchi State elections, has announced his retirement from active politics, citing "personal reasons" and describing his exit as a farewell to the "murky waters of Nigerian politics." The former Chief of Air Staff, who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2021, made the announcement in an emotional video message delivered in Hausa on Saturday, 16 May 2026, which he later confirmed on his official X account.
Speaking directly to the people of Bauchi and his supporters, Abubakar explained the difficulty of his decision. "Today, with a heavy heart, I have made the difficult decision to leave politics for personal reasons," he said in the video message. "This decision did not come easily, considering the love, support and affection shown to me by the people of Bauchi State and Nigerians since I joined politics in 2021." The announcement, which took many by surprise, brought an abrupt end to months of political maneuvering and speculation that the former Air Marshal was planning to contest the 2027 governorship election on the platform of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
Abubakar's political journey was brief but intense. He entered the political arena in 2021, immediately after retiring from a stellar military career that spanned over four decades. During the 2023 governorship election in Bauchi State, he emerged as a formidable opposition candidate for the APC, polling 432,272 votes but ultimately losing to the incumbent Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 525,280 votes. Following his electoral defeat, his political future became a subject of intense speculation. In July 2025, he was seen at the inaugural meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leading to widespread reports that he had resigned from the APC and joined the coalition of opposition leaders led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The decision to retire appears to be final and unequivocal. In a terse statement on his official X account, Abubakar declared, "I say Good bye to the murky waters of Nigerian Politics. I no longer belong to any political party and will therefore not vie for any office." This announcement effectively rules out any possibility of him contesting the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election, a prospect that had been hinted at by recent campaign posters and political alignments in the state. His withdrawal is expected to significantly reshape Bauchi’s political landscape, leaving his supporters and political observers to reassess the dynamics of the upcoming electoral cycle. He also apologised to his supporters for his exit, saying, "I sincerely apologise to all my supporters and well-wishers over this difficult decision, and I wish everyone the very best."
While Abubakar cited only "personal reasons," the announcement comes at a time of immense legal pressure on his family, particularly his wife, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs. Umar-Farouq was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 9 May 2026 over an alleged N37.1 billion money laundering and contract fraud scandal. The EFCC has filed 21 charges against her and a former permanent secretary in her ministry, accusing them of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, abuse of office, and the diversion of public funds. Although Abubakar did not mention this in his statement, the mounting legal troubles surrounding his wife likely contributed to the timing and nature of his political retirement.
Despite his exit from the political stage, Abubakar vowed to remain a servant to the people of Bauchi State. He announced that he would continue his philanthropic work through his "Marshal Care Foundation," which will focus on community development, particularly in the areas of health and education. "My retirement from politics will not stop me from serving humanity. I will continue supporting society, especially in education and healthcare," he said.
Abubakar, a recipient of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a military aviator, serving as Nigeria's 20th Chief of the Air Staff. His tenure is often remembered for the expansion of the Air Force's fleet and its intensified operations against the Boko Haram insurgency. He won several accolades as a young officer, including being named the "Best Cadet in Flying" and the "Best All Round Cadet" during his primary flying training in 1981. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.
Abubakar’s departure serves as a stark reminder of the often toxic nature of Nigerian politics, where even highly accomplished technocrats can find themselves retreating from the arena. As he bids farewell to the "murky waters," he joins a growing list of retired military officers who have navigated the turbulent currents of partisan politics, leaving behind a legacy of electoral ambition unfulfilled.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments