[1][2] In 2023, he contested for governor of Bauchi State in the 2023 Bauchi State gubernatorial election, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, losing to the incumbent governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Abubakar joined the Nigerian Air Force as a member of Cadet Military Training Course (CMTC 5) in November 1979.

He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Studies from University of Ibadan.

Abubakar has a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Helicopters with Instrument Rating and has flown a total of seven aircraft types: Bulldog, Piper Warrior, Enstrom, Bell 206, BO-105, Mi-35P and Mi- 17.

[4] In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.