In a groundbreaking development, the House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill aimed at imposing a 60-year age limit for individuals aspiring to run for the office of President or Governor in Nigeria. If the bill, sponsored by Imo lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere, successfully passes all legislative stages and receives presidential assent, it will have significant implications for future elections, including the 2027 presidential race.
The proposed legislation would bar candidates older than 60 years from contesting for the presidency or gubernatorial offices. This would affect high-profile political figures such as President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, all of whom are above the 60-year threshold.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Review the Requirements for Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections,” seeks to amend key sections of Nigeria’s Constitution. It proposes that candidates for the presidency and governorship must not only hold at least a university degree but also be under the age of 60 at the time of election.
This bill was one of 31 proposed legislations that passed their second reading during Thursday’s plenary session. Along with the age limit proposal, the House also considered several other important bills, including:
- A bill to elevate Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Imo State to a federal institution, providing it with national recognition and funding.
- A bill to ensure mandatory inclusion of youth and persons with disabilities in political appointments, aimed at enhancing inclusivity in governance.
- A bill to move trade and commerce to the concurrent legislative list, facilitating smoother interstate commerce between federal and state governments.
In addition to these, the House also deliberated on proposals for new education-focused institutions, such as the establishment of the Federal University of Education in Zaria and a specialized University of Nigerian Languages in Aba.
Another significant bill, the Reserved Seats for Women in National and State Assemblies Bill, aims to enhance gender representation by allocating specific legislative seats for women. Furthermore, judicial reforms are also on the table, with bills aimed at improving the efficiency of the justice system and expanding the number of justices in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
As these bills continue their journey through the legislative process, all eyes are on the potential changes they could bring to Nigeria’s political landscape, especially the landmark age limit proposal that could redefine the future of the nation’s leadership.
