Sabon Gari APC race: Mahmud Buba steps down at dawn, backs party unity.
By Abibu Shehu Ibrahim
A few hours before the scheduled All Progressives Congress primary election slated for Saturday, May 16, 2026, the controversial aspirant for the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency seat, Mahmud Sadis Buba, formally announced his withdrawal from the race.
The decision, disclosed around 3 a.m. on the day of the primary, has sparked political reactions within party circles and among supporters across the constituency.
In a statement personally signed and shared on his Facebook page, Buba said his decision followed ongoing reconciliation efforts initiated by party leaders and stakeholders to promote unity and consensus within the APC.
He explained that after consultations with his family, political associates and party stakeholders, he concluded that stepping down was in the best interest of the party and necessary to strengthen unity ahead of future elections.
The politician emphasised that supporting a consensus arrangement within the party was more important than personal ambition, stressing that unity remains critical to the APC’s electoral success and stability in Kaduna State and the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency.
Buba also expressed appreciation to the party’s leader in the state, Uba Sani, as well as the APC leadership in Kaduna State, for the opportunity to participate in the political process.
He described the experience as rewarding and thanked his supporters for their encouragement, loyalty and backing throughout the period of consultations and political engagements.
Reaffirming his loyalty to the ruling party, the former aspirant said his withdrawal should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness but as a sacrifice made in the collective interest of the APC.
He further urged his supporters to remain calm, stay united and fully support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate in the primary election.
Meanwhile, the development has generated mixed reactions on social media, with some political observers linking the withdrawal to recent debates and allegations circulating online concerning his age and physical stature.
However, no official statement has connected those claims to his decision to step down.
Observers believe the last-minute withdrawal may further strengthen ongoing reconciliation efforts within the Kaduna APC as the party prepares for future political contests in the state.
