Former Chief of Air Staff Sadique Abubakar Retires from Active Politics

Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (retd.), has officially announced his complete withdrawal from active and partisan politics. Abubakar, who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State during the 2023 general elections, made the disclosure in a statement shared on his official X handle on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

In his announcement, the retired military chief stated that he is saying goodbye to the "murky waters of Nigerian politics" and clarified that he no longer belongs to any political party. Having previously defected from the APC to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in July 2025, Abubakar's sudden departure puts an end to recent speculations linking him to a potential 2027 governorship bid in Bauchi State, where campaign posters bearing his image had already begun surfacing. In a video message spoken in Hausa, he described the decision as painful but necessary, apologizing to his loyal supporters and citing personal reasons for his exit.

Abubakar entered partisan politics shortly after retiring from the Nigerian Air Force in 2021 and subsequently serving as Nigeria's ambassador to Chad. Despite a hard-fought campaign in 2023, he finished second in the Bauchi gubernatorial race behind the incumbent Governor, Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While he has firmly ruled out contesting for any future political office, the former Air Chief maintained that he will continue to contribute to national development and support ordinary Nigerians as a private citizen.

What do you think about Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar's decision to suddenly step away from politics ahead of the 2027 cycle? Please drop your comments below!

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