Bill to limit Presidential, Governorship candidates to under-60 passes second reading
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for second reading a bill seeking to impose a 60-year age limit on presidential and gubernatorial candidates in the country.
NewsDirect reports that the bill would effectively bar political figures such as President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from contesting in the 2027 general elections, as all are currently above the age limit.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Review the Requirements that Qualify a Person to be Elected as President, Vice President, Governor, and Deputy Governor of a State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” was introduced by Imo lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere.
The bill seeks to amend the Constitution to set clear age restrictions for those vying for the highest political offices in the country.
In its provisions, the bill stipulates that for a candidate to be eligible to run for president or governor, they must not be older than 60 years at the time of the election.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to review the requirements that qualify a person to be elected as President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Governors and Deputy Governor of a State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for Related Matters” was sponsored by Imo lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere.
The bill was one of the 31 proposed legislations which scaled second reading during Thursday’s plenary session.
The bill provides that “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if he has been educated up to at least university level and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in his chosen field of study.
“Section 131 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting a paragraph which reads, “That he is not more than 60 years at the time of vying for the Office of President.
“Section 177(d) of the principal Act is amended by altering the educational requirement that qualifies persons to be elected as governor as follows:
“A person shall be qualified for election to the Office of the President if he has been educated up to at least university level and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in his chosen field of study.
“That he is not more than 60 years old at the time of vying for the office of Governor.
Furthermore, the bill outlines a requirement for a university degree as a baseline educational qualification for candidates seeking the presidency or governorship.
“This bill aims to ensure that the leadership of this country is in the hands of younger, more dynamic individuals who can lead with energy and vision,” Ugochinyere stated during the debate.
He added that it is imperative for the country to promote generational transition in leadership, advocating for a system where younger candidates are given a fair chance to contest.
The passage of the bill could have significant political ramifications for the 2027 presidential race, particularly given that figures like Tinubu, Abubakar, and Obi are currently above the 60-year threshold.
These political heavyweights, who have been active in Nigerian politics for decades, may find themselves sidelined should the bill pass all legislative stages.
In a related development, the House also passed several other bills for second reading, including one aimed at enhancing political inclusivity for youth and persons living with disabilities, as well as a bill to establish the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Imo State.
