THE Bauchi State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections, Saddique Baba Abubakar, has announced his retirement from active politics.
News Point Nigeria Sunday Politics reports that in a short video message released in Hausa on Saturday, Abubakar, husband of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Sadiya Umar Farouq, described the decision as difficult and said it was taken on personal grounds, while also apologising to his supporters.
“Today, with a heavy heart, I have made the difficult decision to leave politics for personal reasons. 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,” he said.
Abubakar, a former Chief of Air Staff, entered politics in 2021 after retiring from the Nigerian Air Force.
He later emerged as a major opposition candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Bauchi State but lost to Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Despite stepping away from partisan politics, Abubakar said he would continue contributing to the development of Bauchi State, particularly in the areas of health and education, through his Marshal Care Foundation.
In recent weeks, posters linking him to a possible 2027 governorship bid under the Action Democratic Party (ADP) had surfaced across parts of Bauchi metropolis, fueling speculations about another political contest.
However, the former Air Force chief’s announcement appears to have put an end to those speculations.
Abubakar thanked his supporters and prayed for continued peace and progress in Bauchi State and across the country.
“I sincerely apologise to all my supporters and well-wishers over this difficult decision, and I wish everyone the very best,” he added.
He also prayed for stability and development in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.
