Controversy Trails Bill Seeking to Bar Tinubu, Atiku, Obi from 2027 Election

A bill before the House of Representatives seeking to bar individuals above 60 from contesting for the Nigerian presidency or governorship positions has sparked mixed reactions.

Sponsored by Imo lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere, the bill recently passed its second reading in the lower legislative chamber. If it becomes law, prominent 2027 presidential hopefuls, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, will be ineligible to contest due to their age.

The bill proposes amending the 1999 Constitution to set a maximum age limit of 60 years for presidential and governorship candidates while also mandating a university degree as a qualification.

While many Nigerian youths have welcomed the bill as a step toward greater political inclusion, others argue that competence, not age, should be the focus of electoral reforms.

Calls for Electoral Reform Instead of Age Restriction

Former Voice of Nigeria Director-General Osita Okechukwu dismissed the bill, stating that Nigeria’s real challenge lies in electoral integrity rather than age restrictions. He urged the government to implement the recommendations of the 2008 Uwais Report, which advocates an independent electoral body through a transparent nomination process.

Sowore Rejects Bill, Labels It ‘Ageism’

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore also rejected the bill, calling it discriminatory and legally indefensible. He suggested that lawmakers were using the proposal to distract Nigerians from pressing governance issues.

Labour Party Chieftain Supports Youth Leadership

Terzulum Ukpanya, a former Labour Party House of Representatives candidate, supported the bill, arguing that older politicians have failed the country. He emphasized that Nigeria would only progress when young leaders take charge, comparing the country’s leadership dynamics with France, where President Emmanuel Macron assumed office at 39.

Despite the debate, critics believe the bill faces an uphill battle, as those who stand to lose the most from its passage are the ones who must approve and sign it into law.