A bill seeking to amend the 1999 constitution to reduce the minimum age requirement for contesting the offices of governor and senator from 35 to 30 years has passed second reading in the house of representatives.
The proposed legislation, titled “A bill for an act to alter the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to reduce the age for qualification for membership of the senate and office of the governor, and for related matters (HB. 2235)”, was sponsored by Esin Martin Etim and twenty-four other lawmakers.
Under the current Constitution, candidates for the Senate and governorship must be at least 35 years old, while those vying for seats in the House of Representatives may contest from age 25.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker argued that the current age threshold limits opportunities for young politicians aspiring to higher office.
He noted that the 10-year gap restricts the political progression of young legislators, particularly those who enter the house at 25 and complete two Akwa Ibom state four-year terms by age 33, yet remain ineligible to contest, for the senate or governorship.
Etim, who represents the Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue federal constituency of Akwa Ibom state, said the bill proposes reducing the eligibility age from 35 to 30, thereby maintaining a five-year gap between qualification for the house of representatives and higher elective offices.
Speaker of the house, Tajudeen Abbas, subsequently put the bill to a voice vote without debate, and a majority of lawmakers supported its second reading.
The bill has now been referred to the house committee on constitution review for further legislative action.
Comments