From Kemi Yesufu, Abuja
House of Representatives, yesterday passed for second reading, a bill to reduce the age qualification to contest the Presidency and other positions in Nigeria.
“A Bill for an Act to Alter Sections 65, 106, 131 and 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to reduce the Age Qualification for the Office of President, Governor and Membership of the Senate and House of Representatives, and for Other Related Matters” was sponsored by Tony Nwulu (PDPLagos).
The bill seeks to reduce the qualification for the office of president from age 40 to 30 years, office of governor from 35 to 30 years, the Senate from 35 to 30 years and the federal and state houses of assembly from 30 to 25 years, respectively.
While announcing the bill, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who presided over plenary, stated his support for it.
This is even as he explained that he was wearing a badge given him by youths who stormed the National Assembly to further create awareness on the bill.
Presenting the bill for second reading, Nwulu opined it would ensure political inclusiveness.
He said: “In countries like the United Kingdom, the parliament decided in 2006 to lower the age of candidacy from 21 to 18, which had existed since the Parliamentary Elections Act 1695. “An age candidacy of 25 would encourage greater youth participation in politics.”
When put to a voice vote by the speaker, members unanimously endorsed the bill, which had trended online days before its official presentation.
The bill was referred to the Adhoc Committee for Constitutional Review. Also, the House yesterday passed for second reading, a Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Nigerian National Heroes
Register, sponsored by Chukwuka Onyema (PDP-Anambra).
As contained in the bill, the names of citizens of Nigeria (whether dead or alive) deserving of honour, shall be written in permanent form in National Heroes Register.
Also, the register, which shall be placed in the National Hall and will be open to inspection by members of the public, shall be administered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.