60-Year Age Limit Bill for Presidential and Governorship Candidates Passes Second Reading
By Our Correspondent
The House of Representatives has passed, for a second reading, a bill that seeks to prohibit anyone over the age of 60 from running for election to the offices of President and Governor in Nigeria.
If this bill successfully completes the legislative process and is signed into law, it would prevent President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, from participating in the 2027 presidential election, as they are all above 60 years of age.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Review the Requirements for Election as President, Vice President, Governor, and Deputy Governor of a State, and for Related Matters,” was sponsored by Imo State lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere.
This legislation is among the 31 proposed bills that passed their second reading during Thursday’s plenary session.
Key provisions of the bill stipulate that “a person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if they have attained at least a university-level education and have earned a Bachelor’s degree in their chosen field of study.”
Additionally, the bill proposes an amendment to Section 131 of the Principal Act, adding the clause: “That he or she is not more than 60 years old at the time of vying for the office of President.”
Furthermore, Section 177(d) will be amended to reflect similar educational qualifications for gubernatorial candidates: “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor if they have been educated to at least university level and hold a Bachelor’s degree in their field of study, and that he or she is not more than 60 years old at the time of vying for the office of Governor.”
Another bill aimed at providing statutory backing for the establishment of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Imo State also passed its second reading. This bill, also sponsored by Ugochinyere, seeks to enhance the institution’s status by granting it federal recognition and funding support.
The House also approved a bill for the mandatory inclusion of youths and persons living with disabilities in political appointments, promoting inclusivity and representation in governance.
Additionally, a bill to transfer trade and commerce to the concurrent legislative list, which aims to enhance interstate commerce, passed second reading. Once enacted, this legislation will enable both federal and state governments to regulate trade, thus boosting economic activities between them.
Also discussed was the Federal University of Education, Zaria (Establishment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Speaker Abbas and Plateau lawmaker Yusuf Gagdi. This bill aims to create a specialized university focused on teacher education in Zaria. Other education-related bills include the establishment of Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education in Kano and the University of Nigerian Languages in Aba, among others.
The Reserved Seats for Women in National and State Assemblies Bill, 2025, sponsored by Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, also passed its second reading. This bill aims to promote gender inclusivity by reserving specific legislative seats for women.
The Inclusion of Youths and Persons with Disabilities in Political Appointments Bill, 2025, also sponsored by Ugochinyere, passed its second reading, aiming to ensure greater participation of marginalized groups in government.
Judicial reforms are also on the agenda, with proposals such as the Timelines for Justice Administration Bill, 2025, sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, which seeks to enhance the justice delivery system in the country. Another proposal, the Increase in Number of Supreme Court & Court of Appeal Justices Bill, sponsored by Bello Kaoje, calls for an expansion in the number of justices to improve the efficiency of the judiciary.
Lastly, the House deliberated on bills related to the creation of new states, including the Creation of Wan State (North Central) Bill, 2025, and the Creation of Gobir State (North West) Bill, 2025, both of which passed their second reading.
