Nigeria’s House of Representatives has moved closer to adopting a bill which seeks to reduce the existing age limit for the positions of president, governor and senator in the country. It passed its second reading on Wednesday, raising expectations that it would eventually become law. If this happens, anyone by the age of 30 who meets all other criteria as prescribed by the electoral laws will be able to contest for the positions of president, senator and governor.
The sponsor of the bill, Tony Chinedu Nwulu, representing Oshodi-Isolo II federal constituency, said that his push for the age limit reduction was inspired by what he saw as a need to encourage greater youth participation in politics. He pointed to a similar change in the candidacy age limit in the United Kingdom made in 2006, a move that saw the age limit for holding elected office revised from 21 to 18.
“This desire itself could be viewed as sufficient warrant for young people to participate, demonstrate a willingness to engage and fulfil the burdens of office”, Mr Nwulu said.
Nigeria’s constitution currently fixes the age of qualification for election into the offices of president at 40 years, and 35 years for governor and senator. Adjustments proposed in the bill also includes cutting the age limit for seeking election into the House of Representatives from 30 to 25 years.
The bill, in effect an amendment of sections 65, 106,131 and 177 of the 1999 constitution, includes a provision for independent candidacy, which its sponsor says should also make younger people more enthusiastic about getting involved in the political process.
Age restrictions for people seeking elected office vary across the world; the Netherlands permits suitable candidates who have reached the age of 18 to run for any political position; in Italy, the president must be at least 50 years old. The constitution of the United States stipulates that the president and vice president of that country should be at least 35 years old, and its senators not less than 30.
