Mahmud Sadis Buba, an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Sabon Gari federal constituency in Kaduna state, has drawn widespread attention after scaling the party’s screening exercise for the 2027 elections.
Buba, who lives with dwarfism, claims to be 30 years old. He hails from Sabon Gari in Zaria. He reportedly holds a senior secondary school certificate, and according to him, he previously worked as a driver.
According to public information, he is also the first of nine children and chairs the Tinubu–Uba Sani Agenda ’27 support group in Kaduna.
WHAT SETS BUBA APART
The less-than-four-feet man stands out in Nigeria’s often gerontocratic and physically demanding political arena for two main reasons: his young age and his physical condition.
In his recent interview with the BBC, Buba said he inherited the condition from his paternal grandfather.
His condition has attracted to him insults, humiliation, and discrimination throughout his life, including mockery directed at his parents.
“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.
In the 2023 election, Buba had contested the same seat he now vies for but was persuaded by APC stakeholders to step down, and he dropped his ambition.
On May 10, Buba passed the screening conducted by the ruling party to contest for a seat in the house of representatives. His screening appearance, captured in videos that went viral, showed a confident aspirant in traditional attire addressing party officials.
“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.
Buba told the BBC Hausa service that he has no plans to withdraw and believes his stature will not hinder his legislative duties.
Meanwhile, his supporters continue to hail him as a symbol of inclusion for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and youth in politics.
Buba said he aims to unseat the incumbent representative, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC and is also seeking re-election.
POLITICAL STORY AND GROWING INFLUENCE
Before now, Buba has been active in the local politicking in Kaduna.
In January, he led a solidarity march in support of the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna.
He has taken pictures with several politicians, including Tinubu, late Muhammadu Buhari, a former Nigerian president; Vice-President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; and Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, among many others.
Before the current buzz, he was known locally as a mobiliser. His story quickly gained national traction, sparking conversations about merit, physical ability, and breaking barriers in Nigerian politics.
Buba’s entry into the 2027 political race reflects a broader push for youth and inclusive representation within the APC in Kaduna.
His campaign narrative centres on service, accessibility, and responding to the calls of his people rather than personal ambition.
“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.
CONTROVERSIES AROUND HIS AGE
Buba’s rapid rise has not been without significant backlash. The most explosive issue is a fierce controversy over his actual age.
In his recent media chat, he said he was born on August 2, 1995; however, documents purportedly linked to him – including an international passport, NIN slip, birth certificate, and school records – suggest a 2010 birthdate, making him approximately 15 or 16 years old.
A family member has reportedly publicly released what they described as his Nigerian passport (issued 2024, listing “SADISU MAHMUD BUBA” born August 27, 2010, in Zaria) to “clarify” the matter, referring to him as a “younger brother”.
One Abdullahi Aliyu claimed to have taught Buba when he was in junior secondary school, adding that the politician is definitely 16 years old.
This has triggered outrage, with critics accusing those behind his candidacy of exploiting a minor and falsifying age to meet the constitutional 25-year minimum for house of representatives aspirants.
Meanwhile, social media reactions range from mockery, “baby politician”, to serious questions about party vetting processes and the integrity of documentation in Nigerian politics.
Some defenders argue the age documents are fabricated or part of a smear campaign, while others point to inconsistencies as evidence of deeper issues.
On Saturday morning, Buba withdrew from the race, adding that he reached the decision after consultations with his family, political associates, and party stakeholders.
“My withdrawal is not a sign of weakness, but a sacrifice for the greater good of the party,” he said.
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