Sadique Baba Abubakar

By Sabiu Abdullahi

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

Abubakar disclosed his decision in a brief statement posted on his official X account on Sunday.

“I say Good bye to the murky waters of Nigerian Politics,” he wrote.

“I no longer belong to any political party and will therefore not vie for any office.

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

The retired air marshal served as Nigeria’s chief of air staff from 2015 to 2021 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

After leaving office, he was appointed Nigeria’s ambassador to Chad. He later contested the 2023 Bauchi State governorship election on the platform of the APC after securing the party’s ticket in 2022.

In the election, he polled 432,272 votes and finished behind the incumbent governor, Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 525,280 votes.

Abubakar had recently been linked with possible plans to contest the 2027 governorship election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after holding consultations with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures.

The former military officer left the APC for the ADC in July 2025 after aligning with opposition coalition leaders.

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

Certainly, a democratic system of governance is predicated on the idea that, as long as the people can elect their leaders in the three strata of government and representatives in the legislatures, society will be better, given that government policies and programmes will reflect the people’s yearnings and aspirations. While this is true, to fully realize this ambition, the full participation of the citizenry in the entire democratic process cannot be overemphasized.

Citizens must uphold their responsibilities in the name of nation-building by electing only leaders who genuinely understand society’s challenges and are sincerely willing to address them. This crop of politicians can be identified through their campaign manifestos. The issues raised, ideas discussed, and points made during campaign rallies, discussions, and interviews by aspirants tell significantly how they feel about their society and their burning desire to work towards raising the people’s living standards to a higher threshold.

Therefore, it is essential for voters to consider the backgrounds of political candidates and their plans when choosing at the polls. For Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, everyone must work to educate the public about the importance of active participation in the democratic process and making informed choices at the ballot box.

This, most probably, is retired Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar’s school of thought, which is why he has remained steadfast in talking to the people, especially in Bauchi State, on the need to engage in the politics of principles while prioritising the general development of the society. 

Notably, Abubakar contested for the governorship position in Bauchi State in the 2023 elections under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. This has been his call since the 2023 election campaigns.

At every forum, he praises the politics of principles, noting that it is the only path to a better society. Through the politics of principles, the nation will get the right leaders who can work hard to deliver democratic dividends to the people. When the right leaders are in place, the children of ordinary citizens will gain access to quality public education and enjoy the same advantages as everyone else, enabling them to attain their full potential and realise their ambitions.

More so, there will be access to affordable quality healthcare services; food will be sufficient and available on every home’s table; there will be more jobs for the teeming youth; affordable housing will be made available so everyone can live in decent shelter; and, most importantly, the security of lives and properties can be assured.

Jarmajo wrote from Kukadi/Gundari Ward, Misau Local Government, Bauchi state. 

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has upheld Governor Bala Mohammed’s victory in the hotly contested March 18th election. 

The tribunal, chaired by Justice P.T. Kwahar, dismissed the petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, citing no substantial grounds for nullification. 

Justice Kwahar emphasised the importance of upholding the rule of law and democratic processes.

Governor Bala Mohammed expressed gratitude to the people and called for unity, while APC representatives acknowledged the rule of law and hinted at exploring other legal options. 

This verdict solidifies Governor Bala Mohammed’s mandate and keeps Bauchi State under his leadership.