House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to stop anyone above 60 years from contesting for election to the Offices of the President and Governor in Nigeria.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the legislation, if finally get approval, it will deny President Bola Tinubu, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and others from contesting in 2027 general election.

The bill, which was sponsored by Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, proposes amendments to the 1999 Constitution, specifically revising Sections 131 and 177 to set the maximum age for presidential and gubernatorial candidates at 60 years.

Advertisement

Additionally, candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in their chosen field of study.

The legislation 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.”

The bill provides that: “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if he has been educated up to at least university level and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in his chosen field of study.

“Section 131 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting a paragraph which reads, “That he is not more than 60 years at the time of vying for the Office of President.

“Section 177(d) of the principal Act is amended by altering the educational requirement that qualifies persons to be elected as governor as follows:

“A person shall be qualified for election to the Office of the President if he has been educated up to at least university level and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in his chosen field of study.

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