House of Rep rejects age limit bill for President and other political offices in Nigeria.

The members of the Nigerian House of Representatives have rejected a bill to put the age limit for President and other political offices in Nigeria.

The bill seeks to put a 70 years age limit for anyone running for the office of the President and 65 years age limit for anyone running for a spot in the National Assembly.

The bill which was sponsored by Bede Eke, the lawmaker representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala federal constituency in the House, was rejected before he could even debate the bill. It took the intervention of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila for the debate to be allowed.

Bede stressed that the bill is an extension of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill and the #EndSARS protests.

He said; 

“We had some challenges recently with the Endsars protests, and we are aware of their demands. Our youths will celebrate this house if we should pass this bill.

“You cannot talk about Not Too Young To Run when people are occupying the places.”

However, the minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu opposed the bill on the grounds of it being discriminatory and inconsistent with section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

Another lawmaker, Uzoma Abonta said instead of putting a limit, the age bracket should be expanded to accommodate more people by reducing the age to contest to 23 years.

After a lot of opposition from the lawmakers, the bill was subsequently withdrawn by it’s a sponsor as advised.

(Source Lindaikejiblog)