A 30-year-old man identified as Muhammadu Sadis Baba, an APC aspirant contesting for a House of Representatives, Sabon Gari federal constituency seat in Kaduna State, has stirred reactions online after a video of his screening surfaced on social media.
In the viral clip shared on Sunday, Baba, who is a person with dwarfism, appeared before screening officials dressed in traditional attire. His youthful appearance and calm demeanor quickly drew attention, with many netizens commenting on his baby-faced and cherubic look.
During the screening, Baba confidently answered questions about his age and explained his motivation for seeking public office.
“Help me to pass this screen, because people call me to serve them.” He said.
He expressed his readiness to represent his constituency, noting that many people in his community believe in his leadership abilities and have encouraged him to contest.
According to Baba, APC primary House of Representatives seat is being contested by two candidates, himself and the current sitting member of the House.
However, the emergence of the video has sparked mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians debating issues surrounding political qualifications, inclusion, and respect for candidates during public screenings.
Some users criticized what they described as the low academic requirements for political office in Nigeria.
“How can someone vying for high political office tender something as low as a First School Leaving Certificate as academic qualification? The system is reinforcing mediocrity and bringing it to the limelight. Pathetic,” one user wrote.
Another commenter questioned the screening process, saying:
“Is this a screening process or merely document submission? If a NECO certificate is enough to run for House of Reps and be approved just like that, then the bar set for political office is too low.”
Some users defended Baba’s ambition, stressing that leadership should be judged by competence and integrity rather than physical appearance or social status.
“Integrity is important; size doesn’t matter,” another user highlighted.
The development has since fueled broader conversations about political inclusion, merit, and equal representation in Nigeria’s democratic space.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
