Politics
#NotTooYoungToRun: Finally, 35-year-olds can run for president!
The senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the widely popular age criteria reduction for political offices.
The amendment votes read thus: 86 in support, 10 against, 1 abstention.
The amendment is the thrust of the Not Too Young To Run campaign, an internationally backed advocacy to broaden political access for younger Nigerians.
The campaign had pushed for reduction of age criteria for the office of president, senatorial seat, as well as national and state houses of assembly seats.
However, the senate’s amendment reduced the age criteria for president to 35, governor and senate to 30, and the national and state assemblies’ to 25.
This development is being greeted with so much excitement from young Nigerians who have coordinated a sustained campaign for months to ensure the success of the amendment.
Many will hope that this positive step will be replicated so as to get the amendment across the finish line because for it to become fully incorporated into the Nigerian constitution, 24 state assemblies will have to vote in support of it, after which the president’s assent will be required.
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Abeni Adebisi
July 26, 2017 at 4:05 pm
All reduction are sensible except the presidential age. What is wrong with having a vibrant, active and intelligent 30-year-old as the president of Nigeria? The senators missed the road on this. What we want is 30 years not 35.
Chukwudi Anyanwuocha
July 26, 2017 at 4:42 pm
I agree absolutely with you. But even at the current age of 40. How many 40 or even 45 years old presidential candidates have we had. How many have been successful?
JOHNSON PETER
July 26, 2017 at 7:40 pm
You are saying nonsense, mumu
Animashaun Ayodeji
July 26, 2017 at 4:26 pm
It will take another 16 years before this can be effective fully. The old men with the presidential ambition will keep trying their luck and do everything within their capacity to rule the Nation at least once before allowing the youths.
Anita Kingsley
July 26, 2017 at 7:33 pm
That 16 years, we’ll have a 30 years old as the president of Biafra. If you want to have a nation that will be ruled by a youth, Nigeria is not that Nation but Biafra. I’d advise you to advocate for Biafra, we encourage youths in politics , this Nigeria will never do.
yanju omotodun
July 26, 2017 at 6:13 pm
Hmmmmmmmmm
My long hmmmmmmmm
Means a lot. Cunning senators with cunning plans
JOHNSON PETER
July 26, 2017 at 7:36 pm
Too young to rule indeed , come to Biafra and see young rulers
seyi jelili
July 26, 2017 at 9:28 pm
35 years set as aside for people to run for presidency doesn’t change our situation .all we need is God fearing leaders be it old or youths. Is it these youths of nowadays who are epitome of evil deeds and full of greed that will be granted opportunity to govern?