Why did Ahmed Hassan Al Bakr step down?

Reasons for Al-Bakr's Resignation

Throughout the 1970s, Ahmed Hassan Al-Bakr saw a gradual decline in his influence as Saddam Hussein consolidated his authority within both the Ba'ath Party and the government, primarily utilizing the security apparatus. In 1979, Al-Bakr stepped down from all his official positions, citing "health reasons" as the motivation for his resignation.