Former Nigerian Chief of Air Staff, Sadiq Baba Abubakar, has announced his withdrawal from active politics, ending nearly five years of involvement in Nigeria’s partisan political landscape following his retirement from military service.
The retired Air Marshal, who contested the 2023 Bauchi State governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, made the announcement through a video statement and messages posted on his social media accounts on Sunday. In the statement, Abubakar said he no longer belonged to any political party and would not seek elective office again, describing Nigerian politics as “murky waters.”
“Today, with a heavy heart, I have made the difficult decision to leave politics for personal reasons,” he stated, while thanking supporters in Bauchi State and across Nigeria for standing with him since he entered politics in 2021.
Abubakar’s decision marks a significant development in Bauchi State politics ahead of the 2027 election cycle, especially as political realignments continue across Nigeria following internal crises affecting several major opposition parties. His exit comes at a time when politicians across party lines are repositioning amid growing uncertainty within both ruling and opposition blocs.
The retired military officer entered partisan politics shortly after completing his tenure as Chief of Air Staff, a position he held between July 2015 and January 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. During his years as Air Force chief, he oversaw major counterinsurgency air operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgents in northeastern Nigeria.
Following his retirement from military service, Abubakar briefly served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Chad before declaring interest in the Bauchi governorship race. His entrance into politics generated strong reactions within military and political circles because of the speed with which he transitioned from military command into partisan political competition.
In the 2023 governorship election, he emerged as the APC candidate and became one of the most visible opposition figures challenging incumbent governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party. Despite a high-profile campaign backed by sections of the APC establishment, Abubakar lost the election to Mohammed after a tightly contested race.
Since the election, his political future had remained the subject of intense speculation within Bauchi State. In recent months, posters and political messages suggesting a possible return to the governorship contest under another political platform had appeared in parts of the state capital and surrounding areas. Several local political observers had linked him with ongoing coalition discussions involving emerging opposition alignments ahead of 2027.
Reports also indicated that he had recently been associated with talks involving alternative political movements outside the APC following growing tensions and fragmentation within opposition politics nationally. However, his latest statement appears to have ended speculation over any future electoral ambition.
Although Abubakar did not provide detailed reasons for leaving politics, multiple reports suggested his decision may have been influenced by increasing political instability, internal party disputes, and personal considerations. Some Nigerian newspapers reported that he referenced ongoing crises within political parties and dissatisfaction with the political climate.
The announcement also comes during a broader period of political turbulence across Nigeria. In recent weeks, several prominent politicians and former officeholders have either withdrawn from electoral races or changed political affiliations as parties struggle with leadership disputes and coalition negotiations ahead of the next election cycle.
Political analysts in Bauchi say Abubakar’s withdrawal could reshape opposition calculations in the state, particularly within the APC and emerging coalition movements seeking to challenge Governor Bala Mohammed’s influence. His departure removes one of the most prominent opposition figures in northeastern Nigeria and may trigger renewed competition among younger political actors seeking to inherit his support base.
Despite leaving partisan politics, Abubakar said he would continue contributing to national and community development through his humanitarian initiatives, particularly in healthcare and education. He specifically mentioned the activities of his Marshal Care Foundation, which has been involved in support programmes across parts of northern Nigeria.
His statement also included an apology to supporters who had expected him to continue contesting for political office. “I sincerely apologise to all my supporters and well-wishers over this difficult decision,” he said, while praying for peace and progress in Bauchi State and Nigeria generally.
The former Air Chief’s political exit is expected to generate mixed reactions within both military and civilian circles. Supporters describe him as disciplined, experienced, and capable of bringing military-style administrative reforms into governance, while critics had argued that his political structure struggled to build strong grassroots momentum beyond elite networks during the 2023 elections.
His departure also closes another chapter in the growing trend of retired Nigerian military chiefs entering politics after service. In recent years, several former security chiefs and senior military officers have sought elective positions or aligned with political parties after retirement, reflecting the continuing influence of former military elites in Nigeria’s democratic system.
For now, Abubakar insists he is stepping away permanently from partisan politics, though Nigerian political history has repeatedly shown that major figures often return after temporary withdrawals. Still, his latest declaration appears to signal a deliberate attempt to distance himself from direct political contests as Nigeria enters another season of coalition-building, defections, and power negotiations ahead of 2027.
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