Former Sokoto State Governor and one-time presidential candidate, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, has dismissed reports suggesting that he has joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he has retired from active partisan politics and now operates strictly as an elder statesman.
Bafarawa, who had last year publicly renounced membership of any political party, said he was reacting to rumours circulating across news and social media platforms claiming that he had defected to the APC.
Speaking in Sokoto on Wednesday night, the former governor said he had made his position clear since leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Earlier, this year, Senator Aliyu Wammakko retired ex-governor Bafarawa from active politics, after taken over the political godfatherism saying “I anointed my brother Rt Hon: Amin Waziri Tambuwal as Governor, the interview he granted online. Also, recalled served as mentor and influencer of voting Dr. Ahmed Aliyu victory. Wammakko swiftly announced that his style of politics that I don’t exchange word with anybody that is my style of politics.
“Since quitting the PDP, I announced my retirement from active politics and distanced myself from taking any political appointment,” he said.
Bafarawa, who holds the traditional title of Garkuwan Sokoto (Shield of Sokoto), explained that his current role is limited to offering advice and opinions on issues affecting the unity and prosperity of the country.
“I am now an elder statesman who only gives and airs opinions on issues that border on the country’s prosperity,” he stated.
He clarified that while he has thousands of supporters across Sokoto State with political ambitions, he has consistently told them that he is no longer involved in active politics.
“They sought to know where my focus is, and I told them clearly that I am no longer in active politics. When they insisted and, based on their own convictions, decided to join the APC, I told them that wherever they choose to be politically, I would always wish them well,” Bafarawa explained.
The former governor added that he supports their decision and stressed that he would not oppose Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, citing the governor’s loyalty and respect toward him.
“I am willing and ready to support their choice and will be the last person in the state to oppose Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for his loyalty to and respect for me as a father,” he said.
Bafarawa further noted that he would continue to protect his fatherly relationship with the governor while supporting the political decisions of his followers.
Reflecting on his political journey, he recalled his role in mentoring several leaders who later became governors of Sokoto State, including Yahaya Abdulkareem, Aliyu Wamakko, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and the incumbent, Ahmed Aliyu.
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