Bill to reduce Gov age requirement to 30 passes second reading

 

A bill seeking to change the 1999 constitution to reduce the minimum age required to contest for the office of Governor and for election into the Senate from 35 to 30 years passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill titled ‘A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Reduce the Age for Qualification for Membership of the Senate and Office of the Governor and for Related Matters (HB. 2235)’ was sponsored by the lawmaker representing Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, Esin Martin Etim and twenty-four other lawmakers.

CW NEWS reports that Nigeria’s constitution stipulates that candidates for the Senate and governorship must be at least 35 years old, while those seeking election to the House of Representatives may contest from age 25.
However, Etim argued that the current age threshold limits opportunities for young lawmakers aspiring to higher political office.

According to him, the 10-year gap restricts the political progression of young legislators, especially those who enter the House at 25 and complete two four-year terms by age 33, yet remain ineligible to contest for Senate or governorship.

He further explained that the legislation proposes to reduce the required age from 35 to 30, maintaining a five-year gap between eligibility for the House of Representatives and the higher offices.

The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, thereafter put the bill to a voice vote without debate, and majority of lawmakers supported its second reading.

Abbas referred the bill to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.