After Months Of Speculation, Bafarawa Reveals Why APC Won His Loyalty

Former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, has denied claims that he has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the reports as false, misleading and deliberately concocted.

Bafarawa, who formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in January 2025, made the clarification in a statement released to journalists on Thursday, December 18.

He categorically dismissed suggestions of his return to the APC as “completely unfounded, malicious and without any iota of truth,” insisting that he neither belongs to the ruling party nor intends to join it or any other political platform.

“Let me state clearly and without ambiguity that I have not joined the APC and have no intention whatsoever of joining the party. I equally have no plans to join any other political party,” he said.

He recalled that he officially withdrew from the PDP on January 8, 2025, a decision he said was deliberate and final.

According to Bafarawa, his exit from partisan politics was driven by a resolve to devote himself fully to youth empowerment and humanitarian initiatives.

“I did not merely leave the PDP; I made it clear at the time that my decision marked a new phase of service focused on empowering young people and uplifting humanity,” he explained.

He said the youth empowerment initiative he now champions is designed to inspire, equip and transform young Nigerians, whom he described as the foundation of the country’s future.

“To avoid any conflict of interest in pursuing this objective, I found it necessary to disengage completely from partisan political activities,” he added.

Bafarawa stressed that his stance remains unchanged, reaffirming his commitment to creating opportunities for young people, promoting innovation and nurturing values that support national development.

Addressing speculation linking him to the APC, he suggested it likely arose from the decision of some of his former supporters to align with the ruling party.

“What some people may be misinterpreting as my membership of the APC is simply the fact that some of my former supporters have chosen to join the party,” he said.

He emphasised that his supporters are free to associate with any political party of their choice, noting that his withdrawal from politics does not restrict their personal decisions.

“My decision to step away from partisan politics is personal. If I am tired and retired, they are not. They are therefore at liberty to join any political party or association they deem fit,” he stated.

Explaining why his supporters opted for the APC, Bafarawa attributed their decision to the performance of Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, particularly in improving security across the state.

“Their choice is largely influenced by the governor’s efforts, especially in the area of security. Supporting initiatives that promote peace aligns with my own values, and I therefore support their move,” he said.

Bafarawa also recalled that although he was among the founding members of the APC, he exited the party at its early stage due to irreconcilable differences.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I was a founding member of the APC but withdrew during its formative period because of disagreements that could not be resolved at the time,” he noted.

He described claims linking him to the party as laughable, pointing out that he has never attended APC meetings.

“How can I be a member of a party whose meetings I have never attended? Such claims are clearly the handiwork of mischief makers,” he said.

Bafarawa served as governor of Sokoto State from 1999 to 2007 and has remained an influential figure in Nigerian politics. Although he later returned to the PDP after leaving the APC, he formally resigned from the party in January 2025 to focus on youth development and philanthropic work.

Since then, speculation has continued to trail his political future amid shifting alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.