KEY POINTS

• Former Chief of Air Staff Sadique Baba Abubakar has announced his full exit from active politics and political party membership.
• He declared he will no longer contest elections, describing Nigerian politics as “murky waters,” but pledged to continue supporting citizens informally.
• The former APC governorship candidate in Bauchi State lost the 2023 election to Governor Bala Mohammed amid earlier speculation of a possible 2027 comeback.

Former Chief of Air Staff and 2023 Bauchi State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (retd.), has announced his withdrawal from active politics.

In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the retired Air Marshal declared that he would no longer participate in political contests or affiliate with any political party.

He described his departure as a complete exit from what he termed Nigeria’s “murky waters of politics,” signalling a full break from partisan engagement.

In his statement, Sadique Baba Abubakar made it clear that he has renounced party membership entirely.

He said he would no longer seek elective office or participate in political activities under any platform.

“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,” he wrote.

However, he noted that he would remain available to support ordinary Nigerians in any way he can, despite stepping away from formal politics.

“However, I will continue to support ordinary Nigerians to the best of my ability,” he added.

From Military Leadership to Electoral Politics

Sadique Baba Abubakar entered politics after retiring from the Nigerian Air Force in 2021, following a distinguished military career.

He later emerged as the governorship candidate of the APC in Bauchi State during the 2023 general elections but was defeated by incumbent Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His transition from military service to partisan politics had attracted significant public attention, positioning him as one of the prominent opposition figures in Bauchi State at the time.

In recent weeks before his announcement, there had been growing speculation about a possible political comeback.

Posters reportedly surfaced across parts of Bauchi metropolis linking him to a potential 2027 governorship bid under the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

However, his latest declaration appears to have put an end to all such political rumours, confirming a full withdrawal from future electoral contests.

Despite exiting partisan politics, Sadique Baba Abubakar said he would remain engaged in national issues in a non-political capacity.

His statement suggests a shift toward civic engagement and personal advocacy rather than party-driven participation.

The announcement marks the end of a brief but high-profile political chapter following his retirement from one of Nigeria’s top military leadership positions.