A Nigerian politician seeking to contest for the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency seat in Kaduna State is facing possible disqualification after official documents reportedly showed he was born in 2010.

Mahmud Sadisu Buba, popularly known as Abin Al’ajabi, attracted public attention after appearing before the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee on Saturday, according to Daily Nigerian.

The aspiring lawmaker, who has dwarfism, had previously been photographed with several senior Nigerian leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In an interview with the BBC, Buba reportedly claimed he was above 25 years old, the constitutional minimum age required to contest for a seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.

However, a National Identification Number slip and an international passport reportedly seen by journalists indicated that he was born on August 27, 2010, meaning he would turn 16 in August 2026.

If confirmed, the documents would place him below the constitutional age requirement for the House of Representatives. Under Section 65 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, candidates for the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old.

Meanwhile, a petition has reportedly been filed before the APC House of Representatives Appeals Committee challenging Buba’s eligibility over alleged discrepancies relating to his age, identity documents and educational qualifications.

The petition, submitted by a law firm on behalf of a cooperative society, warned that the allegations, if proven, could damage the APC’s chances in the 2027 general election.