The House of Representatives moved forward with second reading of a bill which seeks to create an age restriction for both presidential and gubernatorial candidates who need to be under sixty years old in Nigeria.
Representative Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere introduced legislation through his bill to modify age eligibility criteria in the 1999 Constitution for the roles of President and Governor.
The bill states that at the time of their campaign presidential and gubernatorial candidates must be less than sixty years old.
All candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from their emphasis academic discipline.
The proposed bill modifies section 131 of the constitution to mandate age restrictions on presidential candidates before making similar changes to section 177 regarding gubernatorial candidates.
Furthermore the House reviewed two other significant bills for second reading starting with Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Bill: Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere which seeks to raise Alvan Ikoku College of Education in Imo State to a federal university status.
The bill proposing Ideato West Local Government Area establishment strives to establish a new administrative entity in Imo State for enhanced development purposes.
Rep. Ugochinyere brings forth bill which requires political institutions to appoint youths and persons with disabilities for all available positions to achieve governance inclusivity.
The Concurrent Legislative List Trade and Commerce Bill finds backing from Rep. Ugochinyere who seeks to give both states and federal government regulatory power over trade and industrial operations thus boosting national economic activity.
Rep. Kafilat Ogbara introduced the Reserved Seats for Women in National and State Assemblies Bill to raise the number of female legislators in government institutions.
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The Judicial Reform Bills present the Timelines for Justice Administration Bill (Sponsored by Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu) which seeks judicial process acceleration.
The Increase in Supreme Court & Court of Appeal Justices Bill (Sponsored by Rep. Bello Kaoje) requests higher justice numbers to advance court performance.
Creation of New States: Creation of Wan State (North Central) Bill, Creation of Gobir State (Northwest) Bill.
These legislative attempts from the House aim to restructure Nigeria’s governance system together with advancing youth and female inclusion and maximizing economic performance and judicial efficiency.
