House Of Representatives Passes Bill For Second Reading To Lower Age For Senate And Governorship To 30
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved for second reading a bill proposing to amend the 1999 Constitution to reduce the minimum age for Senate and governorship elections from 35 to 30 years. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Reduce the Age for Qualification for Membership of the Senate and Office of the Governor and for Related Matters (HB. 2235),” is sponsored by Hon. Esin Etim and 24 other lawmakers. Currently, candidates for the Senate and governorship must be at least 35 years old, while those seeking election to the House of Representatives can contest from age 25. Etim, representing Offong/Oruko/Udung Uko Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, argued that the existing age limits block young Nigerians from progressing in politics and restrict opportunities for leadership development. He highlighted that the 10-year gap between eligibility for the House and higher offices prevents young legislators who start at 25 from contesting for the Senate or governorship after two terms, as they would still be only 33 years old. “This bill seeks to reduce the required age from 35 to 30, maintaining the traditional five-year gap between eligibility for the House and higher offices,” Etim said. “A member starting at 25 would still be too young to advance after two terms. This House should address that.” Speaker Tajudeen Abbas then called for a voice vote, and lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill for second reading. The bill has now been referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.