Reps endorse 30 years for Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly candidates

 

Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously endorsed 30 years for any Nigerian vying for the office of the President, Governor and National Assembly seats in subsequent general elections.

The lawmakers expressed the solidarity during the debate on the bill, which seeks to reduce the age qualification for the office of President, Governor and membership of the Senate and House of Representatives by altering Sections 65, 106, 131 and 177 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as proposed by Tony Nwulu.

In his lead debate, Nwulu said “the bill seeks to reduce the age qualification for the office of president from 40 to 30 years, office of Governor from 35 to 30 years.”

The bill seeks to reduce the age qualifications of those vying for Senate from 35 to 30 years and State Houses of Assembly from 30 to 25 years.

While stressing that legal framework will ensure political inclusiveness in line with international best practices, Nwulu observed that: 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.

“This desire itself could be viewed as a sufficient warrant for young people to participate, demonstrates a willingness to engage and fulfil the burdens of office,” he added.

Speaking on Independent candidacy, Nwulu stressed the need to open up space for lawmakers to come in as independent candidates.

“It is pertinent now to amend the constitution to make room for independent candidates to widen the democratic processes in our elections, and above all to encourage our young ones to fully participate in all elective offices,” Nwulu said.

While ruling, Speaker Yakubu Dogara referred the bill to the Ad hoc Committee for Constitutional Review, chaired by Yussuff Lasun, Deputy Speaker for further legislative action.

Similarly, the House passed the bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Nigerian National Heroes Register, through second reading.

According to Chukwuka Onyema, who sponsored the bill, names of citizens of Nigeria (whether dead or alive) deserving of honour, shall be written in permanent form in National Heroes Register.

The bill provides that 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 (SGF).

Meanwhile, 100 bills including National Library Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016; National Health Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016; Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016; Energy Commission of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016; Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016; Annual Budget Conception, Preparation and Presentation Procedure Bill, 2016; Free Advice and Treatment of Breast Cancer Centre Bill, 2016 and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016 scaled through first reading.

KEHINDE AKINTOLA