Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, others might not be able to contest elections again as a bill proposing a new age and education requirements for president, governors passed second reading
The House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to amend the educational and age qualifications for the offices of president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors in Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ikeagwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere (PDP Imo), successfully passed second reading on Thursday. According to the proposed amendments:
- Section 131(d) of the Constitution will be altered to require that a presidential candidate must have at least a university education and hold a Bachelor’s degree in any field of study.
- A new Section 131(e) will be introduced, stipulating that a presidential candidate must not be older than 60 years at the time of contesting for office.
- Similarly, Section 177(d) will be amended to ensure that candidates for the office of governor hold at least a Bachelor’s degree.
- A new Section 177(e) will require that gubernatorial candidates must not be older than 60 years at the time of vying for office.
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Parliament Reports notes that both session 131(d) and 177(d) of the 1999 constitution stipulates that a person vying for presidential and governorship position should be educated to at least school certificate level.
Reps Rescinds Bills on Immunity Clause and Capital Offences
Earlier, the House took a step back on its earlier approval of a bill aimed at qualifying the immunity granted to the president while removing immunity for the vice president, governors, and deputy governors.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Qualify the Immunity Conferred on the President, Remove the Immunity Conferred on the Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors, in Order to Curb Corruption, Eradicate Impunity, and Enhance Accountability in Public Office” (HB.1664), was sponsored by Rep. Solomon T. Bob and passed second reading on Wednesday.
In another development, the House rescinded its earlier approval of a bill seeking to review penalties for certain capital offences to align with international best practices.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Review the Penalties for Certain Capital Offences in Alignment with Relevant International Best Practices” (HB.2120), was sponsored by Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu & six others.
According to House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonbvere, the rescission was made to allow for further debate by members.
House Debates Constitution Alteration Bills
On Wednesday, the House suspended its rules to allow all 42 constitution alteration bills to pass second reading without individual debates. However, when 36 bills were presented for second reading on Thursday, six were stepped down due to lack of clarity or the need for further deliberation.
One of the most significant bills stepped down for re-presentation for debate was sponsored by Rep. Ugochinyere. The proposed amendment seeks to grant the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly the power to summon the President and State Governors to answer questions on national security or any legislative matter under their jurisdiction.
