Ex-Sokoto Governor Bafarawa Denies Joining APC

A former Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on Thursday dismissed the report that he has joined the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bafarawa, who resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in January this year, was rumoured to have pitched his tent with the APC.

However, in a statement on Thursday, Bafarwa described the report as the figment of the imagination of those behind it, saying it was the work of mischief-makers.

The former governor stated that although he was a founding member of the APC, he left the party at its very early stages due to some irreconcilable differences at the time.

He maintained that his decision to step away from partisan politics was purely personal and not binding on his supporters, who are free to continue their involvement in politics.

Bafarawa stated that he remained committed to creating avenues for youth empowerment, fostering innovation, and promoting values that build a prosperous future for all.

“Let me state without equivocation that I have not joined the APC and have no intention of joining the party whatsoever. I also have no intention of joining any other political party. It should be recalled that I resigned my membership of the PDP on January 8, 2025.

“I did not just leave the former ruling party; I declared then that my decision was informed by my commitment to a new chapter of service, which focuses on uplifting humanity through youth empowerment. I then emphasised that the youth empowerment scheme is a movement that seeks to inspire, empower, and transform the lives of our young people, who are the bedrock of our country’s future.

“To ensure that there is no conflict of interest in my pursuit and discharge of this lofty objective, I considered it imperative to withdraw from any form of political affiliation,” he said.

Bafarawa maintained that nothing has changed, restating his commitment to creating avenues for youth empowerment, fostering innovation and promoting values that build a prosperous future for all.

“Perhaps, what is being misconstrued in some quarters as my belongingness to the APC is the fact that my erstwhile supporters have joined the political party. The point must be made that my supporters, whether young or old, still have the right of freedom of association.

“My decision to withdraw from partisan politics is strictly mine, not theirs. If I am tired and retired, they are neither tired nor retired. They are therefore free to join any political party or association just as a good number of them have now joined the APC,” he said.

He stressed that his supporters who joined the APC were motivated by what he called the good works of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, especially in the area of security.

Their support for and collaboration with the governor will promote peace. As a peace-loving man, I stand for any action that promotes peace. I therefore support their move.”

He called on the public to disregard the “falsehood” that he had joined the APC, maintaining it was false, unfounded and malicious.