Reps deliberate on barring 70-year-olds from contesting for elective offices

The House of Representatives has moved to bar politicians above the age of 70 from contesting in elections into various political offices in the country.

Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha sponsored the bill which seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution which will in turn put a check on the age and educational qualifications of politicians.

The Explanatory Memorandum of the proposed legislation reads;

“Bill seeks to amend Sections 65(2)a, 106(c), 131(b) and 131(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by raising the educational qualifications required for election into the offices of the President, National and State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.”

The bill proposed an amendment to Section 65(2a) of the Principal Act by substituting the words ‘School Certificate’ with ‘Higher National Diploma’ and ‘First Degree’ immediately after the words ‘at least’.

Nigerian Tribune reported that the lawmaker also sought for amendment of Section 106(c) of the Constitution, by substituting the words ‘School Certificate’ with ‘Ordinary National Diploma’ immediately after the phrase ‘at least the’.

Section 131(b) of the Constitution will be amended by adding the words ‘but is not beyond Seventy years’ immediately after the words ‘forty years’.

The bill has been referred to the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase for further legislative action.