By Veritas News Hub
May 10, 2026
KADUNA, NIGERIA – Mahmud Sadis Buba, a 30-year-old aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has successfully passed the party’s screening exercise for the Kaduna Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat, drawing attention both within party circles and across social media.
The screening, conducted on Friday at the APC state secretariat in Kaduna, cleared Buba to contest in the forthcoming primaries alongside other aspirants seeking the party’s ticket. According to officials present, Buba submitted all required documents, including proof of membership, academic credentials, and tax clearance, and responded satisfactorily to questions from the screening panel.
Immediately after the exercise, news of his clearance spread quickly online, with many users commenting on his relatively young age and appearance. Photos from the screening showed Buba in a simple agbada, posing with party officials and supporters. The post quickly garnered hundreds of comments, with some praising the party for opening space for younger candidates, while others questioned whether age alone should be a qualification for legislative office.
“This is a good sign that the APC is beginning to listen to the call for generational change,” said Aisha Umar, a Kaduna-based youth activist who attended the screening. “If young people want to participate in governance, they must be allowed to go through the process and be judged on their capacity, not just their age.”
Buba, who describes himself as an entrepreneur and community mobilizer, said his decision to run was driven by a desire to give young people in Kaduna a voice at the national level. Speaking briefly to reporters after his screening, he thanked the party leadership for a transparent process and outlined his priorities if elected.
“My focus is on job creation, education reform, and youth empowerment,” Buba said. “Kaduna has a large population of young people who are skilled and ready to contribute, but they need opportunities and representation. I am here to bridge that gap.”
Party officials at the state level said the screening process was conducted in line with the guidelines issued by the APC national leadership ahead of the primaries. A member of the screening committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said all aspirants were assessed on eligibility, loyalty to the party, and ability to represent the constituency effectively.
“Kaduna is a politically active state, and we expect a competitive primary,” the official said. “Age was not a disqualifier. What matters is that the aspirant met the constitutional and party requirements.”
Buba’s emergence comes amid a broader national conversation about youth inclusion in politics, fueled by the Not Too Young to Run Act of 2018, which lowered the age limit for running for the House of Representatives from 30 to 25. Since then, several young Nigerians have contested and won legislative seats, though the majority of candidates remain above 40.
Political analysts say Buba’s youth could work in his favor in a constituency where unemployment and education remain key concerns, but it will also subject him to higher scrutiny on policy depth and organizational capacity.
“The challenge for young aspirants is to move beyond the conversation around age and present a clear, credible agenda,” said Dr. Sani Abdullahi, a political science lecturer at Kaduna State University. “Voters are looking for competence and a plan they can hold you accountable to.”
The APC primaries for Kaduna Federal Constituency are scheduled for later this month. If Buba secures the ticket, he will face candidates from other parties in the general election.
For now, his successful screening has positioned him as one of the youngest aspirants in the race, and the online reaction suggests his candidacy will continue to attract attention as campaigns begin.
_Veritas News Hub will continue to follow developments in the Kaduna APC primaries and report on all candidates as the race progresses.
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