APC Appeals Committee Clears Dwarf Rep Aspirant for Primary After Age Controversy

The All Progressives Congress House of Representatives Appeal Committee has cleared Mahmud Sadisu Buba, the dwarf politician popularly known as Abin Al’ajabi, to contest the party’s primary election for the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency seat in Kaduna State, overturning initial concerns over his age and eligibility.

The decision, announced on May 14, 2026, following a review of petitions challenging the aspirant’s qualification, effectively allows the 30-year-old with dwarfism to proceed with his political ambition to represent his constituency in the National Assembly. The appeal panel ruled that Buba met the constitutional requirements for the House of Representatives seat under Section 65 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that candidates must be at least 25 years old.

Buba, a former commercial driver turned grassroots political mobilizer, had drawn national attention after appearing before the APC screening committee on May 9, 2026, and being photographed with prominent political figures including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio . His ambition had sparked massive debate across Nigeria, with supporters praising his courage and describing his candidacy as a powerful symbol of resilience and inclusion for persons with disabilities.

However, the clearance did not come without intense opposition. A petition filed by the law firm Black Halsburys L.P. on behalf of Samaru Layin Tsamiya Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Limited had challenged Buba’s eligibility, alleging discrepancies in his age, identity documents, and educational qualifications . The petitioners claimed that official documents, including a National Identification Number slip and international passport, indicated Buba was born on August 27, 2010, which would make him 15 years old and turning 16 in August 2026, far below the constitutional age requirement .

The petition further alleged that Buba was admitted into Demonstration Secondary School at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2023 and sat for the National Examinations Council exams in 2025, while declaring himself 30 years old in his APC nomination forms. The petitioners had urged the committee to compel independent verification of his biometrics with the National Identity Management Commission and examination bodies.

Despite these allegations, the appeal committee found merit in Buba’s candidacy after reviewing his submissions and supporting documents. The committee did not publicly detail the evidence that led to the clearance, but the decision effectively dismissed the age falsification claims. Buba had consistently maintained in media interviews, including with the BBC, that he was above the constitutionally required 25 years.

The clearance now allows Buba to participate in the APC primaries, where he will compete against other aspirants for the party’s ticket. His candidacy has drawn both fervent support and sharp criticism within the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency. Supporters view his journey from commercial driver to political aspirant as inspirational, while critics question whether a person of his stature and alleged age can effectively represent constituents in the National Assembly.

Political observers note that the appeal committee’s decision could set a precedent for how Nigerian political parties handle disability inclusion and unconventional aspirants. “His emergence has brought disability representation to the forefront of political discourse,” one observer told TELL Magazine. However, others argued that leadership requires competence and experience beyond symbolism. “Leadership is not entertainment,” a concerned resident was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, separate but similar appeal processes have played out in other states. In Benue State, an APC appeal panel cleared 11 of 50 disqualified House of Assembly aspirants following a review of petitions, demonstrating the party’s structured approach to handling screening disputes. Common grounds for disqualification across states included non-payment of party dues by nominators, inadequate number of nominators, age discrepancies, and inconsistencies in academic qualifications.

For Buba, the clearance represents a major victory, but his path to the National Assembly remains uncertain. He must first win the APC primary before facing candidates from other parties in the 2027 general election. The controversy over his age, however, may continue to shadow his campaign and could become a subject of legal challenges should he secure the party’s ticket.

The APC has not yet released an official statement on the specific findings that led to Buba’s clearance, and attempts to reach the appeal committee chairman for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.