I’ve Not Joined All Progressives Congress – Bafarawa

Former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, has denied joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Stories have been making the rounds that Bafarawa, who, in January this year, resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally joined the APC.

However, Bafarawa in a statement made available to newsmen said the allegation of his defection to APC was the figment of the imagination of those behind it, adding that it was the handiwork of mischief makers.

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

He maintained that his decision to step away from partisan politics was purely personal and not binding on his supporters who have the freedom to continue with politics.

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

The statement read “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, on 8th of January, 2025, resigned my membership of the PDP.

“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 did emphasize then that the youth empowerment scheme is a movement which seeks to inspire, empower and transform the lives of our young ones 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.

“Let me restate, for the avoidance of doubt, that nothing has changed. I remain committed to the task of 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.

“But it is important to note that my supporters did not join the APC for the sake of it. Their action is driven by the good works of the governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, 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.

“For those who do not know, I was a founding member of the APC but had to quit the party at its very early stages owing to some irreconcilable differences that crept in at that time. In fact, I find it laughable that I am being associated with a political party whose meetings I never attended. How can I be a member of APC without attending its meetings? The story reads very much like the handiwork of mischief makers”, the former governor said.

Meanwhile, he has called on the public to disregard the falsehood that he had joined the APC, saying it was false, unfounded and malicious, as there is no iota of truth in it whatsoever.