House To Introduce Age Limits For Presidential, Guber Candidates

The House of Representatives passed for second reading a bill that would bar individuals over 60 years old from running for president or governor.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, aims to amend the country’s 1999 Constitution to introduce age limits for presidential and gubernatorial candidates.

Speaking on the general principles of the bill, Ugochinyere noted that Under the bill, candidates for president and governor would need to be under 60 years old at the time of the election and hold at least a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field.

He explained that the bill specifically amends Sections 131 and 177 of the constitution to introduce the age limit for presidential and gubernatorial candidates.

Additionally, the House also passed several other bills for second reading, including legislation to upgrade Alvan Ikoku College of Education to a federal university, sponsored by the Speaker Dr Abbas Tajudeen and Ikenga Ugochinyere.

The Bill for the creation of a new local government area, Ideato West Local government Area in Imo State to enhance administrative and developmental efforts also passed its second reading.

Similarly, a bill for mandatory inclusion of youths and persons with disabilities in political appointments, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere passed second reading.

Other bills passed include proposals to move trade and commerce to the concurrent legislative list also sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere.

A bill seeking to reserve seats for women in national and state assemblies sponsored by Kafilat Ogbara also passed second reading

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Blessing Nyor