State Lawmakers under the auspices of The Conference of Speakers of State House of Assemblies have pledged their support to the passage of #NotTooYoungToRun Bill.
This was revealed in Abuja yesterday during an interactive session by the Conference of Speakers in Abuja with Civil Society Organisations on the Constitution Alteration bills passed by the National Assembly.
The interactive Meeting organised by the Policy & Advocacy Centre (PLAC) focused on how Civil Society Organisation can engage Houses of Assembly in ensuring that the Constitution Amendments when transmitted to State Assemblies is passed.
Alhaji Ismaila Kamba, Chairman of the conference, in his opening remarks stated that in adopting the constitution amendment, Assemblies would focus on the yearning and aspirations of Nigerians.
Speaking to reporters, Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad praised the advocates of the campaign for their organizing skill in mobilizing for a shared purpose in the state, local government & state level. ‘If there is one bill that will pass, it is the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill.’
The#NotTooYoungToRun bill is reportedly transmitted to the State House of Assemblies for approval. For it to become law, as stipulated in Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, two-third (24) State House of Assemblies will need to vote for it. We urge young people across the country to engage their State lawmakers to vote in support of the #NotTooYountgToRun bill.
The#NotTooYoungToRun bill seeks to alter Sections 65, 106, 131, and 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to reduce the age of qualification for the office of the President, Governor, and House of Representatives from 40 to 35, 35 to 30, and 30 to 25 respectively. The reduction will take the age of candidacy State Houses of Assembly from 30 to 25. The Bills sponsored by Hon. Tony Nwulu, member representing Oshodi/Isolo constituency and Sen. Abdul-Aziz Nyako also seeks to mainstream independent candidacy into Nigeria’s electoral process.
On 26 July 2017, the Senate passed the #NotTooYoungToRun bill in the National Assembly, with an overwhelming majority (86-10) and on July 27, 2017 the bill was passed, again by a large majority (261-23), in the House of Representatives.