A bill aimed at preventing politicians over the age of 60 from contesting for the offices of president and governor has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, introduced by Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, a lawmaker from Imo State, seeks to amend the Nigerian Constitution.
The proposed bill specifies that a person must be no older than 60 years at the time of contesting for the office of president.
It also introduces a requirement that candidates for the presidency must have at least a university education, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in their chosen field of study.
The bill seeks to amend Section 131 of the principal Act, which would now include a clause stating 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.”
It further stipulates that candidates for the office of president “shall not be more than sixty years (60) at the time of vying for the office.”
Similarly, the bill proposes an amendment to Section 177(d) of the principal Act, which alters the educational requirements for governorship candidates.
According to the amendment, a candidate for governor must also possess at least a university degree and must not be older than 60 years at the time of running for office.