[quote author=centvin008 post=46062707]Bill To Lower Age To Content In Elections Passes First Reading In NASS
The House of Representatives has passed for first reading a Bill seeking to lower the constitutional age requirement for contesting for elections in Nigeria. The Bill with gazette number HB. 544 was read and passed for the first time at the House plenary session on Wednesday May 26th, 2016. Hon. Tony Nwulu representing Oshodi/Isolo II Federal Constituency of Lagos state sponsored the bill otherwise referred to as the #NotTooYoungToRun bill.
The bill seeks to alter the Section 65, 106, 131, 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to reduce the age qualification for the office of the President from 40 years to 30 years; Governor 35 to 30, Senate 35 to 30, House of Representatives 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly 30 to 25. The Bill also seeks to mainstream independent candidacy into Nigeria’s electoral process.

Recently, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara publicly advocated for a downward review of age criteria for running for certain elective offices when he played host to students at a dialogue session in the National Assembly. In his words ‘I think it may not be out of place to lower the age qualification for certain elective offices in the next constitutional amendment exercise”.  Charging the youths to take the gauntlet and constructively organize for the age review he said ‘This country belongs to you but it’s under the stranglehold of men and women of a generation that have overreached itself. The truth is that nothing will be ceded or conceded to your generation without a fight’.

These developments from the House of Representatives signal commitment on the part of the 8th National Assembly to open the democratic space for increased youth participation. It is an indication that the 8th Assembly is responsive to the yearnings of its vast youthful population.

The constitutional amendment bill if passed will address the legal challenge posed to young people seeking to run in elections thereby guaranteeing inclusion in our political process. The amendment will not only create a level-playing field for young people, it will enhance the competitiveness of electoral politics in Nigeria due to the innovative, creative, dynamism and resourcefulness that youths bring to the electoral process. Further more, the Bill will deepen intergenerational dialogue as more youths will gain access to the political process for more adult-youth engagement and partnership.

The youth community welcomes this development with excitement and renewed hope in the legislature. We recognize Hon. Tony Nwulu for sponsoring this important Bill. We urge all legislators in the National Assembly to support the quick passage of the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill to pave way for more youth inclusion in the political process. This is the time for Nigeria to take its rightful place in the comity of nations as a country guided by the principles of inclusion, freedom, equality and justice.

is this our problem?

Leadership just like money is not by education but wisdom

Gerrard59:
It will be much better to increase the educational qualification for a post from the abysmally low qualification of the SSCE to Bsc/HND with a addendum that the individual MUST aspire for further education. Most likely a PhD or an MBA.

Our would be leaders need to be educated rationally, and a secular education at that.
One country that has such is Singapore where over 90% of its political office holders possess a higher degree other than their first degree and from Ivy league schools. Where is Singapore today?

Something is fishing because for my observation for such move there is a hidden agenda. The old layers are now trying to bring their children into power. There is God oo!

If northerners can legally marry 12 year old girls then there is no reason why NASS should not have members of the same age.

I think this is a bill that needs the unflinching support of the youths to pull it through. This is opening a new frontier to Nigerian politics and the fight for a developed Nigeria.
While it is also desirable to raise the educational qualification to run for public office as has been stated by intelligent minds here, let's take it a battle at a time, a bill at a time. Let's pick them off one at a time. Let's get to win this one. Then another. The youths of Nigeria daily downplay their capability. We are the only age bracket that has the numbers to single handedly change the face of leadership in this nation. Legally. Let's start by supporting eligibility of people in tune with cutting edge technology, world social and economic policies of the day and dynamics of interplay between world economies to run for public office.

Let's share and inspire.
Let's start a fire.
Something has to change.

centvin008:
Bill To Lower Age To Content In Elections Passes First Reading In NASS
The House of Representatives has passed for first reading a Bill seeking to lower the constitutional age requirement for contesting for elections in Nigeria. The Bill with gazette number HB. 544 was read and passed for the first time at the House plenary session on Wednesday May 26th, 2016. Hon. Tony Nwulu representing Oshodi/Isolo II Federal Constituency of Lagos state sponsored the bill otherwise referred to as the #NotTooYoungToRun bill.
The bill seeks to alter the Section 65, 106, 131, 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to reduce the age qualification for the office of the President from 40 years to 30 years; Governor 35 to 30, Senate 35 to 30, House of Representatives 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly 30 to 25. The Bill also seeks to mainstream independent candidacy into Nigeria’s electoral process.

Recently, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara publicly advocated for a downward review of age criteria for running for certain elective offices when he played host to students at a dialogue session in the National Assembly. In his words ‘I think it may not be out of place to lower the age qualification for certain elective offices in the next constitutional amendment exercise”.  Charging the youths to take the gauntlet and constructively organize for the age review he said ‘This country belongs to you but it’s under the stranglehold of men and women of a generation that have overreached itself. The truth is that nothing will be ceded or conceded to your generation without a fight’.

These developments from the House of Representatives signal commitment on the part of the 8th National Assembly to open the democratic space for increased youth participation. It is an indication that the 8th Assembly is responsive to the yearnings of its vast youthful population.

The constitutional amendment bill if passed will address the legal challenge posed to young people seeking to run in elections thereby guaranteeing inclusion in our political process. The amendment will not only create a level-playing field for young people, it will enhance the competitiveness of electoral politics in Nigeria due to the innovative, creative, dynamism and resourcefulness that youths bring to the electoral process. Further more, the Bill will deepen intergenerational dialogue as more youths will gain access to the political process for more adult-youth engagement and partnership.

The youth community welcomes this development with excitement and renewed hope in the legislature. We recognize Hon. Tony Nwulu for sponsoring this important Bill. We urge all legislators in the National Assembly to support the quick passage of the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill to pave way for more youth inclusion in the political process. This is the time for Nigeria to take its rightful place in the comity of nations as a country guided by the principles of inclusion, freedom, equality and justice.

 
Signed

Itodo Samson

Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA) and the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign
http://saharareporters.com/2016/05/28/bill-lower-age-content-elections-passes-first-reading-nass

If they pass the it will be a welcome development.

Thank God 4 dis new development vote 4 me plzz 2019 I wud privatize every sector and take nigerian 2 another level of technology Thank God 4 dis new development vote 4 me plzz 2019 I wud privatize every sector and take nigerian 2 another level of technology

Am waiting for "Too old to Run Bill".

good idea. I prefer the age shud be from 30 - 60 for presidency/senate (red chamber), while 25 - 60 for both senate (green chamber) and state house of assembly.

"This country belongs to you but it’s under the stranglehold of men and women of a generation that have overreached itself. The truth is that nothing will be ceded or conceded to your generation without a fight"

A generation that have overreached itself indeed. Old people that want to die in power, both in office and behind the scenes

Flexherbal:
Hope you people are doing this for the people and not looking for ways to fix your children into some of these offices. Politicians are not to be trusted.

They Cannot Fix their Children if you the General Public wont allow it. The only Power they have is MONEY to bribe and Intimidate the General Public, but once the General Public says NO! We will CHOP their Money (Cos it's not theirs in the first place) and still Vote our Choice, then it's over...so Credible Youths better start getting ready

Nice, the amounts for forms shud also b slash down to allow not too have to get,

datz wot dey kip telling us leaders of 2moro. how many of d so called youth has d enuf cash to challenge 4 electoral position. u knw d funniest tin about dis all so call Senators some of dem if not majority of dem ave bin dia 4 more 12 yrs.. yet 4 2019 dey will.contest.

Gerrard59:
It will be much better to increase the educational qualification for a post from the abysmally low qualification of the SSCE to Bsc/HND with an addendum that the individual MUST aspire for further education. Most likely a PhD or an MBA.

Our would be leaders need to be educated rationally, and a secular education at that.
One country that has such is Singapore where over 90% of its political office holders possess a higher degree other than their first degree and from Ivy league schools. Where is Singapore today?

education has nothing to do with profermance of elected official

Nigeria is retarding to destruction and they are there passing needless bill at this point mtchww

Commendable.

To me, this is a good development. Its a good thing if youth start taking charge. Enuf of lying to the youth of this country that children are leaders of tomorrow and when the tomorrow comes na still the old peeps thay occupy the whole positions. In the real sense there's no tomorrow anywhere, its all lies. Tomorrow will never come. Enough of the deceit, we need to take charge now. Now is the tomorrow, now is the future.

Gerrard59:
It will be much better to increase the educational qualification for a post from the abysmally low qualification of the SSCE to Bsc/HND with an addendum that the individual MUST aspire for further education. Most likely a PhD or an MBA.

Our would be leaders need to be educated rationally, and a secular education at that.
One country that has such is Singapore where over 90% of its political office holders possess a higher degree other than their first degree and from Ivy league schools. Where is Singapore today?

I concur with you, I think more emphasis should be on educational qualification than age, this would stop the presentation of NEPA bill as certificate to contest.

geraldgiz:
Happy to join nairaland today officially as a member, I av always been a member but now I am a nairalanders, I hope I will enjoy my membership here.
On the bill issue, it's a nice step to really encourage youth participation in politics, up naija

..your welcome bro,

are u a born again or..........

cos I wants to transfer u to religious section

u'll met with ur mates there , this section is

for nigga's ....lolz

Thanks to the guys that reminded Me of what our secondary school days taught (18 can vote and be voted for). What got Me from his speech is when he mentioned the word 'fight'. So I ask, are we the so called youths ready to fight for our rightful place or still let bribery and corruption make us collect guns from these old men to kill ourselves?

Only when we are ready to face our greatest challenge 'fear', then we're ready. If not the old ones will keep recycling.

Thats a welcomed development... I might consider into keying in

I support the newly recommended ages. 18 years is so young an age for one to be entrusted with so much responsibilities.


#myopinion.

redsconsult:
What happen to our civic education that says at 18 years we can vote and be voted for....

Most young people are smarter than the old corrupt and incompetent politicians we've.

I'm in support of the general idea behind the bill; but I think the age eligibility reduction is extreme.

The minimum age to run for:
President should be 36
Governor - 35
House of Reps - 29
Senate - 30.
State house of assembly - 28

I agree with lowering the age to run for LG chairman and councillor to 25 years.

For appointed offices, the following minimum age requirements could apply:

Minister, Ambassador - 30
SGF - 35
Heads of Federal departments and agencies - 30.

lafex:
Leadership just like money is not by education but wisdom

abbakacici:
education has nothing to do with profermance of elected official

Tell that to Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, US https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Lee_Hsien_Loong_Cabinet/Current_Cabinet


Tharman Shanmugaratnam

London School of Economics,
University of Cambridge,
Harvard University
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharman_Shanmugaratnam

That's the profile of the deputy prime minister of Singapore. How many Nigerian leaders since independence have got such profile? Even if he does not possess such, it's imperative that his cabinet MUST have people of intellectual superiority. Google HR manager said that a company needs to employ persons smarter and intelligent than its founders or directors for it to move forward and churn out new products and innovative services, hence, become profitable.

Moreover, managing a country is like managing a company; where profits and accountability principles must be enshrined. The more reason most of its(Singapore) office holders possess an MBA. Even with the economy downturn globally, Singapore's unemployment rate is below 3%, it's also the 7th least corrupt nation on earth, the second safest city, its airport(Changi) has been the best airport for 4 consecutive years, possesses the second busiest port in the world etc.

Nigeria nay Africa has a long way to go, which is very long even if we have marathoners as leaders.

just similar to an invitation to pre qualification of the dumbest set of people to via for elective posts. what we wipl juat have is simply on unemployed youth been voted in by his army of supporters be he well enlightened and exposed or north. any its just what i thought

U na de rejoice na dere children de won hand over de ledership to.

Gerrard59:
It will be much better to increase the educational qualification for a post from the abysmally low qualification of the SSCE to Bsc/HND with an addendum that the individual MUST aspire for further education. Most likely a PhD or an MBA.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharman_Shanmugaratnam
London School of Economics,
University of Cambridge,
Harvard University. The profile of the deputy prime minister of Singapore. PM Lee Lsien Loong went to Cambridge University and came out with a First Class in mathematical science and computer science. One of the few world leaders who can confidently code.

Our would be leaders need to be educated rationally, and a secular education at that.
One country that has such is Singapore where over 90% of its political office holders possess a higher degree other than their first degree and from Ivy league schools. Where is Singapore today?

Don't they all get doctorate degrees after being elected?

Gerrard59:



Tell that to Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, US https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Lee_Hsien_Loong_Cabinet/Current_Cabinet


Tharman Shanmugaratnam

London School of Economics,
University of Cambridge,
Harvard University
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharman_Shanmugaratnam

That's the profile of the deputy prime minister of Singapore. How many Nigerian leaders since independence have got such profile? Even if he does not possess such, it's imperative that his cabinet MUST have people of intellectual superiority. Google HR manager said that a company needs to employ persons smarter and intelligent than its founders or directors for it to move forward and churn out new products and innovative services, hence, become profitable.

Moreover, managing a country is like managing a company; where profits and accountability principles must be enshrined. The more reason most of its(Singapore) office holders possess an MBA. Even with the economy downturn globally, Singapore's unemployment rate is below 3%, it's also the 7th least corrupt nation on earth, the second safest city, its airport(Changi) has been the best airport for 4 consecutive years, possesses the second busiest port in the world etc.

Nigeria nay Africa has a long way to go, which is very long even if we have marathoners as leaders.

I don't know the way Nigerians think attimes. Some of the Nigerian leaders have more qualifications than those you are talking about but you ppl don't appreciate them and still they perform rse.
Let me remind you that your vice president is a professor and SAN, your former president is a PHD holder, most your ministers are professors, Barristers(SANs) and technocrats but perform worse.
Also, most of the ministers of finance since independent are technocrats and have more profiles than their counterpart in the mentioned countries.
Read Alison Madueke's profile dor refernce but still her performance was poor, so discuss wisdom not education again

iukpe:


Don't they all get doctorate degrees after being elected?

The unofficial criterion is for an aspirant to get a higher degree before contesting for any position. This is because you'd be competing against candidates with degrees from Havard, UCL, Cambridge, MIT, Imperial College etc.

@Lafex. The problem with that of Nigeria is: The ministers aren't given the FREE hand to operate as they should. Secondly, the system is antagonistic to such intellectuals. Only Jonathan and probably Obasanjo came close to a laissez-faire approach to governance.
You don't use wisdom to move an economy, what's needed is intellect, intelligence and global exposure. Nigeria should learn from Singapore. The Chinese did same.