Age Limit Bill: Presidential and Government Candidates Face 60-Year Cap as Bill Advances

The House of Representatives has approved for second reading a bill aimed at preventing individuals over 60 years old from contesting for the positions of President and Governor in Nigeria.

If this bill scales legislative scrutiny and is signed into law, President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, will miss out on the 2027 presidential contest as they are all above 60 years of age.

Titled “A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to review the requirements that qualify a person to be elected as President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Governors and Deputy Governor of a State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for Related Matters” was sponsored by Imo lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere.

One of the 31 proposed bills that advanced past the second reading stage during Thursday's plenary session was this particular piece of legislation.

The legislation states that "An individual will be eligible for the presidential candidacy only if they have attained a minimum educational qualification of a university education along with obtaining a bachelor’s degree in their selected area of expertise."

Section 131 of the Main Act is revised by adding a clause that states, 'He must be less than 60 years old when competing for the position of President.'

Section 177(d) of the main legislation has been revised by modifying the educational criteria necessary for individuals to qualify for election as governor as follows:

A candidate must have completed their education at least up to the university level and should hold a bachelor's degree in their selected area of study to qualify for the presidential election.

“That he is not more than 60 years old at the time of vying for the office of Governor.

A proposed law aimed at providing legislative support for the creation of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Imo State was advanced to the next stage after passing its second reading.

The legislation proposed by Ugochinyere seeks to enhance the stature of the organization by providing it with federal acknowledgment and financial assistance.

The House also passed for second reading a Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution to provide for mandatory inclusion of youths and persons living with disabilities in political appointments.

This legislation, which has been backed by the Imo legislator, aims to foster inclusivity and representation within government structures.

Similarly, the bill to move trade and commerce to the concurrent legislative list, aimed at enhancing interstate commerce, also scaled second reading during plenary.

Once enacted, the suggested bill will grant authority to both federal and state governments to oversee commerce, thereby enhancing economic actions across and between these governmental levels.

Additionally, the Federal University of Education, Zaria (Establishment) Bill, 2025, which was proposed by Speaker Abbas and Plateau legislator Yusuf Gagdi, was also reviewed and endorsed.

The proposed legislation seeks to create a specialized university dedicated to teacher training in Zaria. Additional educational bills encompass the founding of the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education in Kano and the University of Nigerian Languages in Aba, along with several others.

Also approved at the second reading stage is the Reserved Seats for Women in National and State Assemblies Bill, 2025, introduced by Rep. Kafilat Ogbara.

This legislation seeks to advance gender inclusion by setting aside particular lawmaking positions exclusively for females.

The bill titled "Inclusion of Youth and People with Disabilities in Political Positions," introduced by Ugochinyere, has successfully advanced to the second stage of approval.

This legislation seeks to promote increased involvement of underrepresented communities in governmental affairs.

Moreover, judicial reforms are being considered through legislation like the Benjamin Kalu-sponsored Timelines for Justice Administration Bill, 2025, aimed at improving the efficiency of the justice delivery system within the nation.

A different proposition, "The Augmentation of Supreme Court & Court of Appeal Judgeships Act," introduced by Bello Kaoje, suggests increasing the number of judges to enhance judicial effectiveness.

The assembly likewise discussed legislation pertaining to the establishment of new states, where both the Wan State (North Central) Establishment Bill, 2025 and the Gobir State (North West) Establishment Bill, 2025 advanced to the second reading stage.

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