By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong
Fresh controversy has erupted within Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, following a petition seeking the disqualification of a House of Representatives aspirant over alleged falsification of age, identity and educational records.
The petition, filed against Mr. Mahmud Sadisu Buba, an aspirant for the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency seat, was submitted to the APC House of Representatives Appeals Committee in Abuja by the law firm, Black Halsburys L.P., acting on behalf of the Samaru Layin Tsamiya Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society.
Dated May 13, 2026, the petition accused the aspirant of providing conflicting personal information in documents submitted to the party’s screening committee ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
According to the petitioners, Mr. Buba allegedly declared himself to be 30 years old in his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms. However, documents attached to the petition, including a Birth Certificate and National Identification Number (NIN) records, reportedly indicate that he was born on August 27, 2010.
If verified, the records would place the aspirant at 15 years of age, thereby raising constitutional questions regarding eligibility to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.
The petition, referenced BHLP/SOL/AOU/046/2026, described the allegations as “grave” and urged the APC Appeals Committee to immediately investigate the matter in order to preserve the integrity of the party’s primary process.
The legal document further stated that the respondent’s NIN, bearing the number 73595671139, also carries the same date of birth August 27, 2010 allegedly contradicting the age declaration submitted to the party.
In another claim contained in the petition, the complainants alleged that Mr. Buba was admitted into Demonstration Secondary School, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2023 and reportedly sat for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination in 2025.
The petitioners argued that the timeline of the educational records further casts doubt on the authenticity of the aspirant’s claims and qualifications.
Consequently, the petition urged the committee to conduct an independent verification of the aspirant’s O’Level certificate and NIN bio-data, determine whether material falsification exists, and disqualify him from contesting the APC primary election for Sabon Gari Federal Constituency if the allegations are confirmed.
As of the time of filing this report, Mr. Mahmud Sadisu Buba had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition, while the APC Appeals Committee is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
