Kaduna‑based APC aspirant Mahmud Sadis Buba has withdrawn from the race for the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives. In a letter addressed to the All Progressives Congress state chairman, Buba said his decision follows a series of reconciliation meetings convened by party leaders and stakeholders.
The 13‑year‑old aspirant – whose age has been the subject of controversy, with some reports suggesting he was born in August 2010, well below the constitutionally required minimum of 30 years for a federal legislator – indicated that consultations with his family, political associates and party elders convinced him that stepping aside was in the best interest of the APC and its prospects in the constituency.
Buba thanked Governor Senator Uba Sani, the state APC hierarchy and his supporters for the opportunity to contest the party’s nomination. He described the experience as “enriching” and emphasized that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness but as a sacrifice for party unity. “Rallying behind a single candidate is essential for the APC to win and to sustain progress in Sabon Gari and Kaduna State,” he wrote.
The former candidate pledged to work for the success of the consensus nominee and urged his followers to remain calm, united and fully supportive of whoever emerges as the party’s flag‑bearer. His withdrawal clears the field for the APC’s undisputed candidate, who will now focus on the general election.
The episode highlights ongoing challenges within Nigerian politics regarding compliance with constitutional eligibility criteria and the internal mechanisms parties employ to resolve intra‑party disputes. As the APC consolidates around a single contender, observers will watch whether the move translates into electoral advantage in the tightly contested Sabon Gari constituency.
