Several major political parties in Nigeria, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), have strongly criticized the recent move by the House of Representatives to introduce age limits for individuals seeking the offices of President and Governor.
Key Points of the Proposed Bill
The bill, which passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday, proposes that individuals over 60 should not be eligible to run for President or Governor in the country. If the bill passes through the full legislative process and is signed into law, President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi all of whom are above 60 years would be barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Reactions from Political Parties
- PDP’s Response: The Peoples Democratic Party condemned the move as a “misplaced priority”. PDP officials, including the Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed that the country’s primary issues are not related to age, but to corruption, incompetence, and lack of patriotism among leaders. Osadolor stated, “The problem we have is that of incompetence and lack of capacity,” criticizing lawmakers for focusing on trivial matters instead of addressing the real issues. He pointed to countries like India and Singapore, where leaders over 60 have played pivotal roles in their nations’ successes.
- CUPP’s Criticism: The Coalition of United Political Parties also rejected the idea of linking age to leadership quality, with their National Publicity Secretary, Mark Adebayo, stating that the country’s problems stem from corruption, incompetence, and a lack of patriotism. He argued that leadership quality is about competence and character, not age. He referenced US President Joe Biden, who is in his late seventies, and Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, as examples of older leaders who have been successful. Adebayo suggested that even younger leaders might still be prone to the same issues of corruption and incompetence.
- SDP’s View: The Social Democratic Party (SDP) also acknowledged the role of age in governance but highlighted that it is not the sole determinant of leadership success. Rufus Aiyenigba, SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, argued that experience, values, and competence are more important. He proposed introducing mandatory live debates for presidential candidates to assess their intellectual and emotional capacities, allowing the public to judge their suitability for leadership. He stressed that governance requires a balance of both energy and experience.
The Bill’s Provisions
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999”, seeks to introduce new qualifications for individuals running for the office of President or Governor. Key points of the bill include:
- A candidate for the office of President must be under 60 years old at the time of vying for the position.
- Similar age requirements would be introduced for the office of Governor.
- Candidates must also have a Bachelor’s degree from a university.
Looking Ahead
As the bill moves through the legislative process, there is growing concern that its potential passage may limit the pool of eligible candidates, particularly those who are above 60 but still possess significant political experience and support. Political analysts suggest that such a law could stifle the participation of many experienced leaders and may also lead to further political friction.
With general elections fast approaching in Nigeria, the proposed age limits will undoubtedly remain a contentious issue, with the country’s political future heavily impacted by these ongoing debates.
