Nigerian Politician Claims to be 30, Leaked Documents Suggest He May be Just 16

A Nigerian politician aspiring to contest a seat in the country's House of Representatives has found himself at the center of a growing controversy after reports questioned his declared age and eligibility for public office. Mahmud Sadis Buba, a political figure from Kaduna State's Sabon Gari constituency, has come under scrutiny following the emergence of documents that allegedly contradict the age he publicly claimed while preparing for a potential run in the 2027 elections.

Buba, popularly known by the nickname "Abin Al'ajabi," meaning "The Wonder," had attracted public attention after announcing plans to seek election to the House of Representatives. According to local reports, he stated on multiple occasions that he was 30 years old, meeting the constitutional age requirement for the office. However, an investigation by media outlet Peoples Gazette reportedly examined Nigerian identity records and suggested that he could be significantly younger than claimed.

The controversy intensified on social media, where many users questioned Buba's age because of his youthful appearance. During separate public appearances and interviews, he reportedly provided differing accounts of his age, at one point stating he was 30 and at another claiming to be 25 years old. These inconsistencies fueled public debate and prompted further scrutiny of his eligibility to contest for elected office.

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Amid widespread discussion about his physical appearance, Buba also addressed questions regarding his height and body size. He said he has dwarfism, a condition he believes was inherited from his paternal grandfather. According to reports, he maintained that his physical condition would not affect his ability to serve effectively if elected, adding that he was proud of who he is and did not view his stature as a limitation.

Buba has also described himself as a long-time political activist and supporter of Nigeria's ruling political establishment. He reportedly worked as a driver before becoming chairman of a political support group backing President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. In recent days, however, he announced that he was withdrawing from the race for the House of Representatives, citing the interests of his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The debate escalated further after documents, including what were described as birth records, surfaced online and appeared to challenge both his stated age and some aspects of his personal narrative. The authenticity of the leaked documents has not been officially verified by authorities, and no formal findings have been released. Nevertheless, the controversy has sparked a broader discussion in Nigeria about candidate verification procedures, transparency in public life, and the standards required for individuals seeking elected office.

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