National Assembly Moves to Block Tinubu, Atiku, Obi from Future Elections

The House of Representatives has passed a bill for a second reading that seeks to prevent Nigerians above 60 years old from contesting for the presidency or governorship. 

The bill, sponsored by Imo lawmaker Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, is part of the ongoing amendment to the 1999 Constitution and aims to revise eligibility requirements for top political offices. 

If passed, the law would affect potential 2027 presidential candidates, including President Bola Tinubu, who is 72 years old, Atiku Abubakar, who is 78, and Peter Obi, who is 63. All of them are above the proposed age limit. 

The bill proposes changes to Section 131 of the Constitution to introduce a 60-year age limit for presidential candidates and Section 177 to apply the same restriction to governorship aspirants. It also includes a requirement that candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. 

Apart from the age limit bill, the House also considered several other legislative proposals. One of them is the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Bill, which was sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Ugochinyere. This bill seeks to upgrade Alvan Ikoku College of Education in Imo State to a federal university. 

Another bill proposes the creation of Ideato West Local Government Area to enhance administrative and developmental efforts in Imo State. 

There is also a bill mandating the inclusion of youths and persons with disabilities in political appointments. Sponsored by Ugochinyere, it aims to ensure inclusiveness in governance by reserving positions for young people and persons with disabilities. 

In addition, a bill was introduced to move trade and commerce to the concurrent legislative list, allowing both state and federal governments to regulate economic activities. 

Lagos lawmaker Kafilat Ogbara also proposed a bill to reserve seats for women in the National and State Assemblies to increase female representation in politics.