Reps reject bill seeking age limit for President and other political office holders

A bill seeking to put a 70-years age limit for anyone running for the office of the President and 65-years age limit for those running for a spot in the National Assembly, has been rejected by the House of Representatives members.

The bill which was sponsored by Bede Eke, the lawmaker representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala federal constituency in the House, was rejected before he could even debate the bill. It took the intervention of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila for the debate to be allowed.

Bede stressed that the bill is an extension of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill and the #EndSARS protests.

He said;

“We had some challenges recently with the Endsars protests, and we are aware of their demands. Our youths will celebrate this house if we should pass this bill.

“You cannot talk about Not Too Young To Run when people are occupying the places.”

Minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu however opposed the bill on grounds of it being discriminatory and inconsistent with section 42 of the 1999 constitution.

Also debating against the bill, another lawmaker Uzoma Abonta said instead of putting a limit, the age bracket should be expanded to accommodate more people by reducing the age to contest to 23 years.

The bill was subsequently withdrawn by its sponsor after being advised to do so by other lawmakers.

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