---
title: "Nigeria Scandal: 15-Year-Old Teen Almost Becomes Member of Parliament"
description: "In Nigeria, a 15-year-old teen with dwarfism almost made it to parliament for the ruling party by posing as a 30-year-old, sparking a nationwide scandal."
date: 2026-10-15T06:36:39.989Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/nigeria-15-year-old-parliament-scandal
tags: [nigeria, parliament, politics, scandal, election]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Nigeria Scandal: 15-Year-Old Teen Almost Becomes Member of Parliament

![Mahmud Sadis Buba, Nigerian politician at the center of an age scandal](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/15/nigeria-15-year-old-parliament-scandal/nigeria-15-year-old-parliament-scandal-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Mahmud Sadis Buba posed as a 30-year-old candidate for the Nigerian parliament.
- Investigations revealed his actual birth year may be 2010, making him roughly 15 years old.
- Nigerian law mandates a minimum age of 25 for election to the House of Representatives.
- The scandal exposed major loopholes in the APC party's candidate screening process.

The Nigerian political scene found itself at the center of a major scandal after it was revealed that one of the most promising candidates for the House of Representatives from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party might be a minor. Mahmud Sadis Buba, known on social media as the "Miracle of Zaria" or "Abin Al-Ajabin Zazzau," gained widespread popularity due to his charisma and unique appearance caused by dwarfism. However, the intrigue surrounding his candidacy quickly escalated into a national inquiry due to serious discrepancies in his age documents.

### Background and Rise of the "Miracle of Zaria"

Mahmud Sadis Buba's popularity surged in September 2026 following the release of a viral video from a party primary selection round. A native of the Sabon Gari district, he positioned himself as an experienced candidate, claiming to hold a secondary school certificate and work experience as a driver. He attributed his short stature to medical conditions while insisting he was 30 years old. His populist slogans and statement that he entered politics solely at the people's request resonated deeply with voters tired of traditional politicians, turning him into an internet phenomenon.

### Contradictory Data

### Age Scandal and Document Discrepancies

Despite enthusiastic social media reviews, a fierce controversy erupted around Buba's candidacy in October 2026. While the politician claimed in official forms to have been born on August 2, 1995 (granting him the required 30 years for parliament), alternative documents surfaced online pointing to a completely different birth year — 2010. If confirmed, the candidate's real age is only 15–16 years old, making him a minor under Nigerian law and international standards, and legally barring him from elections requiring a minimum age of 25.

### Political Consequences and Questions for the Party

This situation exposed severe vulnerabilities and gaps in Nigeria's party screening and candidate verification system. Public figures and experts are openly questioning how a teenager with dwarfism managed to bypass the APC party's preliminary filters without hindrance — whether due to official negligence or deliberate manipulation by influential backers. The incident has catalyzed large-scale discussions on the urgent need to reform electoral procedures and strictly verify background data for all political contenders.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [В Нигерии 15-летний подросток был на волосок от того, чтобы стать членом парламента – Zamin.uz, 14.10.2026](https://zamin.uz/ru/mir/224515-v-nigerii-15-letniy-podrostok-byl-na-volosok-ot-togo-chtoby-stat-chlenom-parlamenta.html) - Подробный материал о выдвижении Махмуда Садиса Бубы и выявленных несоответствиях в его возрасте.
- [Daily Star: в Нигерии подросток пытался избраться в парламент](https://tass.ru/obschestvo/27527655) - Подтверждение инцидента со ссылкой на зарубежные СМИ.

## FAQ

### How old is Mahmud Sadis Buba in reality?

According to official statements, he claims to be 30 (born August 2, 1995). However, documents circulating online indicate he may have been born in 2010, making him around 15–16 years old.

### What is the age requirement for candidates in the Nigerian parliament?

Candidates must be at least 25 years old to be elected to the House of Representatives in Nigeria.