•Signs Not Too Young to Run Bill into law

Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, expressed surprise at the non-reduction of age limit for governors and senators, as he signed the “Not Too Young to Run” bill into law.

Buhari who signed the bill at a ceremony held inside the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa in the presence of the Not Too Young to Run group of under-35 Nigerians drawn from across the country and led by Mr. Samson Itodo, canvassed for additional amendment to reduce the age limits for aspiring governors and senators, which was proposed but not reflected in the final bill he signed.

The new law lowers the constitutional age limits for the office of the president from 40 to 35 years; House of Representatives from 30 to 25 and House of Assembly from 30 to 25.

He said its signing was not the end of the journey but the beginning of more work to be done to get younger persons into government.

“You are undoubtedly Nigeria’s most important resource – not oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but you and all of us. Your energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop Nigeria, long after we are all gone.

“This is an opportunity for me to affirm that this administration will continue to do everything in its power to make Nigeria work for you.

“You may all know that the Bill I just assented now becomes an Act of the National Assembly. Thus, it may be tempting for you to think of this as the end of the journey. However, it is only the beginning; there is still a lot of work ahead towards ensuring that young people take full advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this constitutional amendment but also through Nigeria’s boundless prospects.

“You should inculcate the spirit of self-help. Those who complete their training should not just sit down and wait for government or private sector to employ them. You should be innovative and turn your hands to any legitimate work that will enable you to sustain yourself.

“You may have noticed already that every one of you represents one of our 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This is because today is about preparing for the bright future of our country.

“Finally, let me say how proud I am, and how proud the entire country is, of what you have accomplished. Congratulations and best of luck with continuing to work to make Nigeria a greater country for us and future generations of Nigerians.”

The president animated the hall with laughter as he appealed to youths to suspend their ambition for the number one seat of power till after 2019.

“I am confident each one of you will transform Nigeria in your own way – whether through media, agricultural enterprise, economists, engineers, or as lawmakers in your states or at federal levels, or as state governors- and even someday, as president. Why not? But please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the 2019 elections!”

The signing of the bill was in fulfilment of his promise announced in his Democracy Day address to the nation.

The president described the bill as a landmark law noting that the bill showed that the youths could achieve anything they conceived if they worked hard at it.

“The coordinators of the Not Too Young to Run movement have now established a formidable legacy, which is that in our maturing democracy, if you really want to change something in Nigeria, and if you can organise yourselves and work hard towards it – you can achieve it. The outcome of such efforts is this remarkable feat.

“These efforts have resulted in the heroic task of enshrining in law, a reduction of the minimum ages for elective office in Nigeria,” he said.

Other NTYTR group delegation awho witnessed the signing were the president’s daughter, Halima; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s daughter, Kanyisola as well as Aisha, daughter of Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

Also present were the sponsors of the bill Abdulaziz Nyako and Tony Nwulu both of who pledged additional legislative support to the group, as well as Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, and some presidency officials.

Meanwhile, President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described the signing as a historic moment that young people would look back on someday.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said: “More than half of our over 180 million population is made up of people under the age of 30. Today’s signing of the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill# represents many years of hard work and signals a new era of youth inclusion and participation in our governance.

“Now more than ever, as young people across the country bask in the moment and celebrate the signing of this Bill, they must not see this as the final destination. It is one thing to be able to run, but, it is another thing entirely to be able to serve.

“This is why it is incumbent on our youths to register, get their PVCs and move on to the next phase of this journey, which is getting their peers elected in legislative and executive positions. You must all take part, to take charge. Nigeria needs the energy and innovation of our young people,” Saraki said.

Also reacting, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu commended Buhari for assenting to the Bill, saying the National Assembly had delivered on its promise.

Ekweremadu, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the new amendment to the Constitution would open up the political space for Nigerian youths, and urged them to capitalise on it to take their proper place in the scheme of things.

He, however, appealed to President Buhari to also attend to other Constitution Amendment Bills awaiting his assent, describing them as critical to the good governance of the nation.

“I am happy for the Nigerian youths and congratulate them on this new vista of political relevance and attainments.

“We have delivered on our promise and it is my hope that the youth will capitalise on it to take their rightful place in the governance of the country. As I have always maintained, today, not tomorrow, belongs to the youths. It is theirs to organise and mobilise to take it. I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the Bill to motivate our youths to start preparations for the 2019 elections. However, I equally urge him to assent to the remaining Bills already transmitted to him, including the Bill seeking financial autonomy for State Houses of Assembly.”

Ekweremadu assured that the National Assembly would continue to make laws that would deepen the nation’s democracy and promote good governance.