AGE CONTROVERSY HITS 2027 HOUSE OF REPS RACE AS LEAKED DOCUMENTS SUGGEST APC ASPIRANT IS 15

KADUNA, NIGERIA — The race for the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections has been thrown into a state of controversy. Fresh allegations suggest that the visually striking All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant, Mahmud Sadis Buba, may have falsified his age.Buba, who recently went viral across social media due to his remarkably small stature and youthful appearance, has consistently claimed to be 30 years old. However, emerging reports and leaked official documents have sparked a fierce debate over his constitutional eligibility.Leaked Passport and NIN Data Cause StirThe controversy erupted after a source, reported to be a family member, leaked sensitive identification data online. According to posts circulating on prominent Nigerian blogs and social platforms, Buba’s alleged Nigerian Passport (No. A13419144) and National Identification Number (NIN) registration data list his actual date of birth as August 27, 2010.If these documents are proven authentic, it implies that the politician is currently just 15 years old. Further claims trailing the leak suggest that Buba was enrolled as a secondary school student until quite recently, contradicting his public profile as a former commercial driver and a 30-year-old grassroots mobiliser.Constitutional Hurdles and Legal BacklashThe Nigerian Constitution explicitly states that any individual contesting for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives must be a citizen and must have attained the minimum age of 25 years.Following the viral leakage of the documentation, reports indicate that a legal suit has been instituted against the APC aspirant. Critics and opposition elements are pushing for his immediate disqualification, citing age falsification and forgery of offi cial credentials during his party clearance.The Candidate's DefensePrior to the document leak, Buba had vehemently defended his eligibility. He maintained that his baby-faced looks and small frame are strictly hereditary traits passed down from his paternal grandfather.Supporters of the "Tinubu–Uba Sani Agenda '27" chairman argue that he successfully cleared the APC national screening committee, which requires rigorous verification of identity before clearing candidates to purchase Expression of Interest and Nomination forms. Neither Buba's official campaign team nor the APC leadership has issued a definitive statement addressing the specific passport number and NIN discrepancies leaked online.As the 2027 political landscape takes shape, this developing story continues to trigger heated debates over accountability, candidate vetting, and the enforcement of constitutional age limits in Nigerian politics.