Reps pass bill to reduce Senate, governorship age to 30

A constitutional amendment bill seeking to reduce the minimum age for contesting the offices of Governor and Senator from 35 to 30 years has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The proposal, 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 Esin Martin Etim alongside 24 other lawmakers.

Nigeria’s current constitution stipulates that candidates for the Senate and governorship must be at least 35 years old, while those vying for the House of Representatives can contest from age 25.

Etim, a Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker representing Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue Offong/Oruko Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, argued that the existing age requirement limits the political advancement of young legislators.

He noted that lawmakers who join the House at age 25 and serve two full terms would still be ineligible to run for Senate or governor at the end of eight years.

He said reducing the minimum age to 30 would create a more realistic pathway for younger politicians, maintaining a five-year gap between eligibility for the House of Representatives and the higher offices.

After the lead debate, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the bill to a voice vote, where it received overwhelming support for second reading.

The legislation has been forwarded to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further consideration.