More legislators have expressed their supports and endorsement for a bill seeking to reduce the age of candidacy required to run for elective positions in Nigeria.
Hon. Suleiman Yahaya Kwande, member representing Jos North /Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State at the House of Representatives said he and his colleagues would ensure that the law is passed before the next general elections in 2019.
He said: “We are in full support of reduction of age limit for elective posts in Nigeria through the NotTooYoungToRun bill so that more intelligent, brilliant and qualified young Nigerians can aspire to top public offices.
“The Bill if passed into law will alter Sections 65, 106, 131 and 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 by reducing the age qualification for the Office of the President and Governor and Membership of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Kwande who is one of young legislators at the National Assembly, said the bill had scaled through second reading and has been committed to the constitution review committee.
He however hailed his colleague, Hon. Tony Nwulu representing Oshodi/Isolo II Federal Constituency of Lagos state who sponsored the bill for calling for accelerated youth involvement in politics.
The proposed law serves as constitutional amendment seeking to address the legal challenge young people experience when seeking to contest elections.
Suleiman (38) who is also a young politician said that when he was coming out to vie for the political office, a lot of people discriminated against him because of his age but wisdom prevailed as he was elected and re-elected for another term after proven his worth and performing to the expectations of his constituents.
As the bill scales second reading, Suleiman who is Deputy Chairman of Local Content Committee of the House of Representatives assured Nigerian youths that when the bill is passed into law it would increase the rate of youth participation into politics.
Suleiman has as his Legislative Interests in poverty alleviation through skills acquisition programmes and empowerment of youths to be actively engaged in the productive sector.
