Many young Nigerians have
been elated since arrival of the news that President Buhari signed into law on May, 31, 2018; what has now been popularly recognized
as the #NotToYoungToRunBill. The significant effect of this new law is that it
reduces the age requirement for persons who wish to contest for political
office thereby giving young Nigerians the opportunity to show they are not too
young to serve and help grow Nigeria either.
been elated since arrival of the news that President Buhari signed into law on May, 31, 2018; what has now been popularly recognized
as the #NotToYoungToRunBill. The significant effect of this new law is that it
reduces the age requirement for persons who wish to contest for political
office thereby giving young Nigerians the opportunity to show they are not too
young to serve and help grow Nigeria either.
Special kudos should also be
given to the Bukola Saraki led National Assembly for also ensuing the law was
passed into barely a year after it was introduced.
given to the Bukola Saraki led National Assembly for also ensuing the law was
passed into barely a year after it was introduced.
However, many have asked how
this law will come to be effected as it contradicts the provisions of the
constitution which provides for the minimum limit of statutory age requirement
for persons who wish to contest political office.
this law will come to be effected as it contradicts the provisions of the
constitution which provides for the minimum limit of statutory age requirement
for persons who wish to contest political office.
At this point, it is
important to note that the new law signed by President Buhari does not in any way
conflict with the constitution as the Bill itself was a Bill to amend the Nigerian
Constitution as the title of the Bill reads – A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE PROVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 AND FOR OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH.
important to note that the new law signed by President Buhari does not in any way
conflict with the constitution as the Bill itself was a Bill to amend the Nigerian
Constitution as the title of the Bill reads – A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE PROVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 AND FOR OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH.
Constitutional Amendments –
The Amendments to the Nigerian
Constitution by the Bill include –
Constitution by the Bill include –
1. Qualifications
for Membership of National Assembly-
for Membership of National Assembly-
Section
65 (1) (b) is amended by substituting the provisions with a new provision as
follows: A person shall be qualified
for election as a member of –
65 (1) (b) is amended by substituting the provisions with a new provision as
follows: A person shall be qualified
for election as a member of –
(b)
the House of Representatives, if he is a citizen of Nigeria and has attained
the age of twenty-five years.
the House of Representatives, if he is a citizen of Nigeria and has attained
the age of twenty-five years.
2. Qualifications
for Membership of House of Assembly
for Membership of House of Assembly
Section
106 (b) and (d) is amended by substituting the provisions with new provision as
follows: A person shall be qualified for
election as a member of a House of Assembly if –
106 (b) and (d) is amended by substituting the provisions with new provision as
follows: A person shall be qualified for
election as a member of a House of Assembly if –
(b) he has attained the age of twenty-five
years;
years;
3.
Qualifications for election as President
Qualifications for election as President
Section 131 (b) and (c) is amended by
substituting the provisions with new provisions as follows: A person shall be
qualified for election to the office of the President if –
substituting the provisions with new provisions as follows: A person shall be
qualified for election to the office of the President if –
(b) he has attained the age of thirty-five
years;
years;
It should however be noted
that some of other aspects of the Bill were however not signed into the amendment.
For instance, the age requirement for a member of the Senate was retained at 35
years as well as those of the Governors. Though, the initial contained a
provision to reduce both requirements to 30 years.
that some of other aspects of the Bill were however not signed into the amendment.
For instance, the age requirement for a member of the Senate was retained at 35
years as well as those of the Governors. Though, the initial contained a
provision to reduce both requirements to 30 years.
@Legalnaija