A bill before the House of Representatives, which aims to prevent anyone above 60 from contesting for the offices of the Nigerian President and State Governor, has stirred controversy.
The bill, sponsored by Imo lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere, was passed for second reading at the lower legislative chamber on Thursday. If it becomes law, several prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, would be ineligible to contest in the 2027 elections.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,” seeks to review the qualifications for presidential and gubernatorial candidates. It proposes that candidates must have a university degree and be no older than 60 at the time of contesting.
In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the “Not-Too-Young-To-Run” bill into law, lowering the age qualification for various offices. However, older politicians continue to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape, prompting calls for a law to allow younger candidates a greater chance.
Reactions to the bill have been mixed.
Osita Okechukwu, a former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) and an APC founding member, dismissed the bill, arguing that Nigeria needs electoral reforms rather than age restrictions. He called for the implementation of the 2008 Uwais Report to ensure a truly independent electoral system.
AAC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, also opposed the bill, stating that age-based discrimination would not hold up in Nigerian law. He suggested that lawmakers were using the bill to divert attention from political controversies, such as the bribery allegations linked to the Rivers State crisis.
Meanwhile, Terzulum Ukpanya, a former Labour Party House of Representatives candidate, supported the bill, arguing that older politicians have hindered Nigeria’s development. He claimed that many politicians prioritize personal wealth over national progress, unlike younger leaders in other countries.
Despite the ongoing debate, many believe the bill faces significant obstacles, including the likelihood that older politicians in power may not support or sign it into law.
