Air Marshal Saddique Baba Abubakar (Rtd.), former Chief of Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force and 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate for Bauchi State, has announced his retirement from active politics.
In a heartfelt statement and video message released today, the retired senior military officer cited personal reasons for his decision after five years of active participation in partisan politics.
“I entered politics with the genuine intention to serve my people and contribute to the development of Bauchi State and Nigeria,” Air Marshal Abubakar said. “Today, with a heavy heart, I have made the difficult decision to quit politics for personal reasons.”
Air Marshal Abubakar retired from the Nigerian Air Force in January 2021 after serving as Chief of Air Staff from 2015 to 2021.
He ventured into politics shortly thereafter, serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Chad before contesting the Bauchi State governorship election in 2023 under the APC platform.
He expressed profound gratitude to his supporters, party leaders, and well-wishers who stood by him throughout his political journey. He particularly apologized to those who invested time, energy, and resources in his aspirations, assuring them that his exit from partisan politics does not mean an end to his commitment to public service.
“Leaving politics does not mean I will stop serving humanity,” he added. “I will continue to contribute to the development of Bauchi State and Nigeria through my foundation and other platforms focused on healthcare, education, and youth empowerment.”
The former Air Chief described politics as challenging waters and wished his former political associates success in their future endeavours.