Buba Galadima Biography
Buba Galadima, born in 1948 in Dawayo, Borno State, Nigeria, is a distinguished Nigerian politician and engineer.
He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned an engineering degree.
He hails from Gashua, Yobe State.
Galadima served as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Authority (NMA) from 1996 to 1998, overseeing the country’s maritime affairs.
He was also the National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) during the 2011 national elections, a party aligned with General Muhammadu Buhari.
In the 2019 presidential race, Galadima was the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s campaign under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He is currently a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), actively contributing to its political activities.
In April 2025, despite multiple offers from President Bola Tinubu for a position in his administration, Galadima chose to remain in his current political engagements.
He is recognized for his steadfast commitment to Nigerian politics and his influential roles throughout his career.
Buba Galadima Wikipedia
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Abubakar Buba Galadima |
| Date of Birth | 1948 (76 years old as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria |
| Profession | Engineer and Politician |
| Education | B.Sc. in Building Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1975) |
| Career Highlights | – Director General, Nigeria Maritime Authority (1996–1998) |
| – National Secretary, Congress for Progressive Change (2009–2013) | |
| – Spokesperson, People’s Democratic Party (2019 presidential campaign) | |
| Political Affiliations | – Chieftain of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) |
| – Signatory to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) | |
| Notable Events | – Detained 38 times for political activism |
| – Predicted Atiku Abubakar’s presidential victory in 2019 | |
| Family | – Daughter: Zainab Buba Galadima (Former Technical Assistant in VP’s Office) |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $1.01 million (as of 2025) |
| – AMCON took over his company and property over an alleged debt of ₦900 million (Feb 2020) |
Buba Galadima’s Early Life Background
Buba Galadima was born in 1948 in Dawayo, Borno State, Nigeria. He hails from Gashua, a town in Yobe State, in northeastern Nigeria.
He had a solid educational foundation, earning a degree in engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Before venturing into politics, Galadima worked as an engineer, but his political journey began in the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
He became known for his vocal opposition to certain government policies, his commitment to political reform, and his significant influence in Nigerian politics.
His involvement in various political movements, including his tenure as a chieftain of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), his role in the formation of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and his support for General Muhammadu Buhari, solidified his reputation as a key political figure.
Galadima’s political career has been marked by numerous arrests, detentions, and confrontations with the government, reflecting his unwavering stance on democratic principles and opposition to perceived injustices.
With a background deeply rooted in both engineering and politics, Galadima became a significant player in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape throughout the years, both as a staunch opposition leader and later as a prominent figure within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Buba Galadima’s Political Career
Buba Galadima has had a long and influential political career, marked by his involvement in various significant political movements and his strong opposition to government actions.
Chieftain of the ANPP: During the Fourth Republic, Galadima became a chieftain of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), the leading opposition party at the time.
In 2002, he publicly opposed President Olusegun Obasanjo’s proposal to restructure local governments, accusing him of trying to undermine state powers.
Arrest and Detention: In April 2004, Galadima was arrested by the State Security Services (SSS) for his involvement in anti-government protests organized by the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP).
He was released without charge after a period of detention, raising concerns over human rights abuses.
2007 Presidential Election: Galadima was a key member of The Buhari Organisation (TBO) and accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of framing opposition figures like General Muhammadu Buhari with false campaign financing allegations.
Ethnic Violence and Emergency Rule: In November 2008, during the ethnic violence in Jos, Galadima called for a state of emergency in Plateau State, citing government complicity in fueling the violence.
CPC and Formation of the APC: Galadima played a pivotal role in the formation of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a party created by General Muhammadu Buhari after falling out with the ANPP.
He was also one of the signatories to the merger agreement that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
2011 Presidential Election and Allegations of Rigging: Following the 2011 presidential election, Galadima claimed the election was rigged and that the CPC would not accept the results until an audit was conducted.
This led to violent protests across Northern Nigeria.
Role in the PDP: Galadima joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2017 and became one of its spokespersons.
In the lead-up to the 2019 presidential election, he controversially announced that Atiku Abubakar had won the election, even before official results were confirmed. This led to demands for his arrest by the APC.
Buba Galadima Personal Life
Marital Status: Buba Galadima was married to Hajiya Sherifat until 2014. Together, they have two children: Daughter, Zainab Buba Galadima, and Son, Aliyu Buba Galadima
Buba Galadima Children’s Contributions
Zainab Buba Galadima has been actively involved in Nigerian politics.
She served as a Technical Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) projects in the Office of the Vice President during President Muhammadu Buhari’s first tenure.
In a 2020 interview, she shared her experiences working in the State House and discussed her perspectives on governance and public service.
Buba Galadima Net Worth
Buba Galadima is a Nigerian politician and former National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Estimates of his net worth vary, with some sources suggesting figures around $1.01 million as of 2025.
However, it’s important to note that in February 2020, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over Galadima’s Abuja residence and his company, Bedko Nigeria Limited, over an alleged debt of nearly ₦900 million.
Buba Galadima Awards and Achievements
1. Political Influence: Buba Galadima is widely regarded for his unwavering commitment to Nigerian democracy and his role as a key opposition figure.
His involvement in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as a prominent member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and later the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has earned him recognition as a political stalwart.
2. Role in the Formation of APC: One of his significant achievements was being a signatory to the merger agreement that led to the creation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
This merger brought together several opposition parties, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s political history.
3. Leadership in CPC: As the National Secretary of the CPC from 2009 to 2013, Galadima helped guide the party through important elections, particularly the 2011 presidential election.
His leadership in organizing and advocating for the party’s principles made him a key figure in the opposition to the ruling PDP.
4. Advocacy for Democracy: Galadima has been a vocal advocate for democratic reforms and has often spoken out against electoral malpractices.
His work in calling for reforms in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and his stance on the fairness of the 2011 presidential election were significant.
5. Human Rights and Detention: Despite facing numerous arrests and detentions by the government due to his political activism, Galadima’s resilience in defending his principles has earned him respect within Nigerian political circles. He remains a symbol of political endurance and integrity.
6. Recognition as a Political Stalwart: In a 2015 interview, Galadima stated that he had endured multiple harassments, detentions, and political struggles, but continued to stand firm as a patriotic democrat.
His resilience in the face of adversity has earned him a reputation for unwavering dedication to his beliefs.
While Galadima has not received formal awards like those in other professions, his political contributions and leadership in key political movements remain his most significant achievements.
His legacy is marked by his relentless pursuit of democracy, opposition to injustice, and leadership in shaping Nigeria’s political opposition.
Some Interesting Facts About Buba Galadima
1. Political Stamina: Buba Galadima is known for his resilience in Nigerian politics, having been arrested and detained over 38 times throughout his political career.
Despite this, he remained uncompromising and continued his fight for democracy.
2. Opposition Leadership: He was an integral part of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), playing a pivotal role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
His ability to bring together various opposition parties was crucial in creating a strong challenge to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
3. Early Involvement in Politics: Before becoming a prominent figure in national politics, Galadima’s engineering background allowed him to make a career in the maritime sector, but his political activism became his true calling.
4. Media Influence: Galadima has also served as a spokesperson for political campaigns, most notably for Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 presidential bid, where he made early announcements about election results, which raised eyebrows even before the official announcement.
5. Political Detainment: During his active years in opposition, he was detained by State Security Services (SSS) for his involvement in organizing protests and speaking against the government.
His detentions raised concerns from Amnesty International about his safety and the risk of mistreatment.
6. Key Family Ties: Buba Galadima’s daughter, Zainab Buba Galadima, has also made a name for herself in Nigerian public service, serving as a technical assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Vice President’s office.
7. Role in Northern Politics: He has been a key voice in Northern Nigeria’s political affairs, often advocating for northern Christians and fighting against marginalization within Nigerian politics.
FAQs
1. Who Is Buba Galadima?
Buba Galadima is a Nigerian politician and engineer born in 1948 in Gashua, Yobe State.
He earned a degree in Building Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University in 1975.
Galadima has held significant political roles, including serving as the National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), where he supported General Muhammadu Buhari.
He was also a prominent figure in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
2. What inspired Buba Galadima to go into politics?
Buba Galadima was deeply influenced by the political climate of Nigeria during his early career.
His determination to bring change to the country’s governance and his opposition to the ruling regimes led him to actively participate in politics.
His stance on fighting for democracy, transparency, and justice shaped his political journey.
3. What is Buba Galadima’s role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC)?
Buba Galadima played a key role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was one of the signatories to the merger agreement between the CPC, APGA, and other political parties, which eventually led to the creation of the APC in 2013.
His influence as a founding member helped shape the opposition into a formidable force against the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
4. Why was Buba Galadima arrested multiple times?
Buba Galadima was arrested 38 times due to his active role in opposition politics, advocating for a fairer and more democratic system in Nigeria.
His detention was often linked to his vocal criticism of government actions, his involvement in organizing anti-government protests, and his stance against electoral fraud.
5. What happened during Buba Galadima’s arrest in 2004?
In April 2004, Buba Galadima was arrested by officers from Nigeria’s State Security Services (SSS) ahead of a planned anti-government protest.
He was detained for several weeks but was released without charges. The incident drew attention from Amnesty International, which raised concerns about his safety and the potential for mistreatment.
6. How did Buba Galadima contribute to the CPC’s growth?
Buba Galadima was appointed National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), where he helped build the party from its early stages.
His work with the CPC was instrumental in mobilizing support for General Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential bids and establishing the party’s position as a strong opposition force.
7. What significant actions did Buba Galadima take during the 2019 election?
In the aftermath of the 2019 presidential election, Buba Galadima controversially declared Atiku Abubakar as the winner on social media before the official results were announced.
His premature announcement led to accusations from the ruling APC, who demanded his arrest for spreading misinformation. He was reportedly arrested by masked security operatives shortly after his declaration.
8. What is Buba Galadima’s involvement with the PDP?
In 2017, Buba Galadima switched political allegiance and joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He was named a spokesperson for the PDP during the 2019 election, where he played a significant role in shaping the party’s public narrative.
9. What challenges did Buba Galadima face in his political career?
Buba Galadima faced numerous challenges, including detentions, harassment, and being caught in the political crossfire during his time as a leader of the opposition.
Despite this, he remained steadfast in his commitment to democratic principles, often describing his experiences as part of his patriotic duty to Nigeria.
10. How has Buba Galadima’s political stance influenced Northern Nigerian politics?
Buba Galadima is a key figure in Northern Nigerian politics, particularly in his efforts to represent the interests of northern Christians and to challenge the perceived marginalization of certain groups.
His political activism has made him a voice for those seeking more equitable representation in national politics.
11. What is Buba Galadima’s net worth, and how did his financial situation change?
Buba Galadima’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.01 million as of 2025.
However, in February 2020, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over his assets, including his company, Bedko Nigeria Limited, over an alleged debt of ₦900 million.
