In the often-turbulent theatre of Kogi politics, few actors have maintained the rare blend of loyalty, discipline, and service that defines HE. Alhaji Sulaiman Baba Ali. His journey -- from serving as Commissioner for Health under the late Prince Abubakar Audu to becoming a founding pillar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) -- is one marked not merely by political ambition but by an unwavering commitment to public upliftment.
For many, Baba Ali's tenure as Health Commissioner remains a benchmark of purposeful governance. At a time when public institutions were gasping for capacity, he opened the doors of opportunity to hundreds of indigenes, strengthening the health sector with a workforce that continues to serve. His influence extended beyond state lines -- leveraging his cordial relationship with the then Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, he secured recruitment slots for thousands of Kogi sons and daughters into agencies such as the Civil Defence Corps, Fire Service, Immigration Service, and the Correctional Service. For countless families, these opportunities became life-changing.
It is no surprise, then, that as a founding member of the APC and a contestant in the 2014 governorship primary, Baba Ali earned both the respect of his peers and the loyalty of grassroots supporters. As leader of the APC in the Lokoja-Kogi Federal Constituency, the party's 2023 electoral victory was credited largely to his meticulous planning and strategic foresight. The man does not just play politics; he organises it.
It is against this backdrop that his voluntary resignation at the APC stakeholders' meeting held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, reverberated across the constituency. His announcement -- anchored, he said, on personal reasons -- was delivered without drama, without fanfare, and with the humility that has always defined him. He promised to remain available in an advisory role whenever his counsel is needed.
But the ripples of his exit are far from subtle.
Some analysts warn that the party may feel the vacuum immediately. "He is highly respected by his people," one political observer noted. "A philanthropist who teaches thousands how to catch fish rather than how to eat it." For these voices, Baba Ali's resignation risks weakening the organisational backbone of the party in Lokoja, particularly among young and enthusiastic members who depend on his guidance.
Others see his decision differently. To them, it is an act of wisdom -- stepping aside not out of pressure but out of principle and timing. "I respect Baba Ali for this bold decision," a party stakeholder said. "He took it at the right time, and for the right reasons."
Whichever side one takes, one reality remains clear: Baba Ali's departure from formal leadership is not the end of his influence. If anything, it marks the beginning of a new phase -- one defined by quiet mentorship, seasoned counsel, and the understated strength that only true political craftsmen possess.
For a man whose track record is unblemished, whose loyalty to his people is unquestioned, and whose political instincts have shaped decades of local and state politics, the future -- both for him and for the APC -- remains open, promising, and worth watching.