Politician who claimed to have dwarfism accused of being a child after ‘passport leak’

A Nigerian politician who told supporters that his youthful appearance was a result of dwarfism has resigned amid sensational claims that he is actually a 16-year-old boy

A Nigerian politician whose youthful appearance made him a viral sensation has withdrawn from an election race after documents emerged that suggest he may actually be a child.

Mahmoud Sadis Buba, who claimed to be 30, had previously explained his seemingly child-like appearance was the result of hereditary dwarfism. But a recently leaked image of his alleged passport suggests that the youthful politician was in fact born in 2010, making him 16.

Buba, who was running to be a member of Nigeria’s National Assembly as part of the APC party, told his supporters in one interview that his “condition had never bothered” him, adding that “It is something I am proud of” and “that is how God created me”.

He told his followers: “It is not about me, it is from the people. People called me to serve them, and I will serve.”

However, Buba’s claims have since come under scrutiny following the leaks of several alleged forms of identity, all of which suggest that he is still a minor, despite Nigerian law meaning sitting politicians must be at least 30-year-old, according to Nigerian news outlet The Whistler.

The controversy exploded after a family member allegedly released what was claimed to be Buba’s passport in an attempt to settle the issue.

Claiming to be Buba’s sibling, they shared an image of his alleged Nigerian passport issued in 2024, which showed he was born August 27, 2010, calling him their “younger brother.”

A former teacher also publicly claimed that he had taught Buba in secondary school and insisted the aspiring politician was still a teenager, according to reports.

Following the dramatic claims about his reported real age, Buba has since stood down from running to be a member of Nigeria’s National Assembly.

In a statement on Facebook, he did not mention his age as a factor for resigning.

The statement read: “Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am withdrawing from the race for Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, effective immediately.”

“This was not an easy decision, but it was hastened by the reconciliation efforts initiated by stakeholders and leaders of our party.”

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.