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The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to bar individuals above 60 years from contesting for the offices of President and Governor in Nigeria.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, proposes amendments to the 1999 Constitution to introduce stricter eligibility criteria for top political positions.

If signed into law, it would prevent prominent politicians such as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi from running in future elections.

According to the proposed amendment, presidential and gubernatorial candidates must not be older than 60 years at the time of contesting and must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in their chosen field.

The bill seeks to amend Section 131 of the Constitution to set the age limit for presidential aspirants, while a similar restriction would be applied to gubernatorial candidates under Section 177.

In addition to the age limit bill, the House of Representatives also passed several other bills for second reading, including one to upgrade Alvan Ikoku College of Education in Imo State to a federal university and another proposing the creation of Ideato West Local Government Area.

A bill seeking to mandate the inclusion of youths and persons with disabilities in political appointments was also considered, along with a proposal to move trade and commerce to the Concurrent Legislative List to grant both federal and state governments regulatory power.

Another bill aimed at reserving seats for women in national and state assemblies was also among those debated.

With the bill now advancing to the next legislative stage, all eyes are on the potential impact it could have on Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.



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