Age of Candidacy is the minimim age at which a person can legally be qualified to hold certain elected government offices. In Nigeria, a person must be at least 40 years of age to be elected President or Vice president, 35 years to be a senator and 30 years to be a Representative in Parliament.
How old is old enough?
The Constitution in Nigeria is legally defrauding the over 55 million youths in Nigeria from Partaking in Federal and State elections. Same constitution that prays the right to vote and be voted for will not allow an 18 year old the right to become a member of the Federal House of Reps but he can vote for an older Representative. Whereas the Constitution of our sister Nation South Africa, Section 47, Clause 1 states that "every citizen who is qualified to vote for the National Assembly is eligible to be a member of the assembly".
It is worthy to note that in developed countries like France, UK, Australia, Denmark, Netherlands etc the Age of Candidacy allows an 18 year old to contest in ALL electable offices while that of Germany, Italy, US, etc allows an 18 year old serve in Representative Government. So why is the Age of Candidacy so high in Nigeria?
Same Nigeria where the likes of Anthony Enahoro at 27 pushed for the Independence of Nigeria, M.T Mbu became a minister of foreign affairs at 23, Pat Utomi a presidential advicer at 27, Yakubu Gowon who became President at 32 now cannot afford to Produce such youthful leaders.
what is the way forward when the youth leader of the rulling party is 53 years and the strongest Opposition had a youth leader of 60 years in recent memory.
The truth is that youths have lots to offer and the decision of their appointment to positions of Political authority or Governance of Organizations should be in the hands of the Electorate. Every youth in Nigeria should awaken to the Self Conciousness of Leadership and Push for the Reduction for Age of Candidacy. It is Possible only when we act on it Because In the early 2000's the British Youth Council successfully campaigned to lower age of Candidacy in UK. The age of Candidacy ws reduced from 21 to 18 in England, Wales and 16 in Scotland.
Nigerian youths must find out
why this age bracket only cares about Fashion, using Smartphones, Social Media but do nothing about Leadership
why this age bracket can vote for but cannot be voted for
why this age bracket is not qualified to be leaders of youth wing of Political parties
and why this age bracket is today incapacitated, Unwilling, Unable, and incapable of asking questions.
Thanks
Daminabo Alali Daniel
Youth Advocate, Motivational Speaker and Founder of D.A.D Foundation which encourages youths towards being the future Leaders of Today, become an active Card carrying member of any Political Party and gives out Educational Scholarships.
Contact 07012615045 (whatsapp only)

love your analysis , now what needs to be done

Ok

"PMB is a terrorist", quote me anywhere.






-EPHPHATHA

You are well on point.its high time we occupied our rightful position of majority in any affair of this nation, levraging on our population.lets meet at the african youth summit come 24-26 sept. At international confrence centre abuja.