"NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN" BILL

Last week,President Muhammadu Buhari made waves in the political sector with the news of the signing into law of the “Not Too Young To Run Bill”. The forwarding of the Act was seen as a victory for young people all over the country and the beginning of a new era in  politics in the nation. Still, with  the  positive reactions, the Act still did not shake the table of Nigerian politics in any substantial way.There are many other far more practical concerns emerging from the passage of the Bill, even with the omission of the obvious issue with regards to the appropriate procedures for amending provisions of a Constitution.

The Bill was introduced into the House of Representatives by House of Representatives member Tony Nwulu, representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency. The Bill looked to alter sections 65, 106, 131 and 177 of the 1999 constitution. The view in mind was to reduce the age qualification for the office of the President, House of Representatives and the State Houses of Assembly.The bill that was passed into law by the President on May 31, 2018 altered the age of qualification for President, which was from 40 to 30, members of House of Representatives being from 30 to 25 and state House of Assembly members from 30 to 25. The age qualifications for Governors and Senators remain at the same at 35 years.

Whether or not there is a mistrust of the youth in the decision of the lawmakers, is not known.History,though. shows lessons on the matter of young people in great leadership positions. For instance, 33 year old Odumegwu Ojukwu began a war in 1967 that he held for three years against a British backed federal government which was led by 32 year old Yakubu Gowon. An example like shows how far youths can go.

Some might say that Past leaders have hung on to the reins of power for  too long and the spirit of the youths may be the missing  link in solving Nigeria’s problems.  The aim is not to empower partially-formed adults as it may seem, but to encourage well rounded individuals with enough youthful vigour to be able to carry Nigeria past the line of development. 

Since the bill passage at the National Assembly in 2017, the “Not Too Young To Run” Bill has been adopted by 25 state assemblies in Nigeria. This may seem encouraging, but the true potency of the Bill will not be felt  with the obvious limitations highlighted above are still in place, the original age qualifications for the elective positions may be more practical, but the Bill at least sends a message to the old reins of Nigerian politics that the country is getting tired of the forces that take us around in circles.