[SPOTLIGHT]: Mahmud Sadis Buba, ex-driver who briefly rose in Kaduna politics
Mahmud Sadis Buba, an aspirant seeking the All Progressives Congress ticket for the Sabon Gari federal constituency in Kaduna State, recently gained public attention after successfully passing the party’s screening process ahead of the 2027 elections.
Buba, who lives with dwarfism, says he is 30 years old and hails from Sabon Gari in Zaria. He reportedly possesses a senior secondary school certificate and previously worked as a driver.
Public records also identify him as the first of nine children and the chairman of the Tinubu–Uba Sani Agenda ’27 support group in Kaduna.
WHAT MAKES BUBA DIFFERENT
Buba, who is under four feet tall, has stood out in Nigeria’s political scene largely because of his age and physical condition.
In a recent BBC interview, he revealed that he inherited the condition from his paternal grandfather.
Over the years, he said his appearance exposed him to discrimination, insults, humiliation, and ridicule directed at both him and his family.
“I have been insulted, humiliated and deprived because of the way Allah created me. There is no move I try to make without people attacking my dignity and disrespecting me,” he said.
Buba had contested for the same seat in 2023 but later stepped down after intervention from APC stakeholders.
On May 10, he scaled the APC screening exercise to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives. Viral clips from the screening showed him confidently addressing party officials while dressed in traditional attire.
“From my beginning as a driver to this moment, my journey has been built on hard work, resilience, and the belief that every individual — no matter their background — can rise to serve,” he wrote on Facebook.
Speaking with BBC Hausa, Buba maintained that he had no intention of withdrawing and insisted that his stature would not affect his ability to serve effectively.
His supporters have since described him as a symbol of inclusion for youths and persons with disabilities in politics.
Buba hoped to defeat the current lawmaker representing the constituency, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC and is also seeking re-election.
POLITICAL JOURNEY AND RISING POPULARITY
Before attracting national attention, Buba had already built a presence in Kaduna’s local political space.
Earlier this year, he organised a solidarity rally in support of the second-term ambitions of President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.
He has also been photographed with several top politicians, including Tinubu, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai.
Initially known mainly as a grassroots mobiliser, Buba’s story later sparked nationwide conversations about inclusion, merit, and physical limitations in Nigerian politics.
His campaign focused on representation, accessibility, and responding to the needs of his constituency.
“This journey is not just about ambition — it is about service, commitment, and the collective desire to move our constituency forward. We are fully dedicated to building a future that reflects the hopes and aspirations of our people,” he wrote.
AGE CONTROVERSY
Despite his growing popularity, Buba’s political ambition became overshadowed by controversy surrounding his age.
During a recent interview, he claimed he was born on August 2, 1995. However, several documents allegedly linked to him — including a passport, NIN slip, birth certificate, and school records — reportedly carried a 2010 birth year, suggesting he could be around 15 or 16 years old.
A family member reportedly shared what was described as Buba’s Nigerian passport online to “clarify” the matter, identifying him as a “younger brother.”
In addition, one Abdullahi Aliyu claimed he once taught Buba in junior secondary school and insisted the APC aspirant was only 16 years old.
The controversy sparked outrage, with critics accusing those behind his candidacy of attempting to manipulate records to meet the constitutional age requirement of 25 years for House of Representatives aspirants.
Reactions on social media ranged from mockery, including references to a “baby politician,” to concerns over the credibility of party screening procedures and official documentation in Nigeria.
While some supporters argued the disputed documents were fake or politically motivated, others viewed the inconsistencies as evidence of deeper issues.
On Saturday morning, Buba officially withdrew from the race, saying the decision followed consultations with family members, political allies, and party stakeholders.
“My withdrawal is not a sign of weakness, but a sacrifice for the greater good of the party,” he said.
