House of Reps backs Bill to reduce age for Governors, Senators to 30

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution by reducing the minimum age for contesting governorship and senate seats from 35 to 30 years.

The bill, titled A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution… to Reduce the Age for Qualification for Membership of the Senate and Office of the Governor (HB. 2235), was sponsored by Esin Etim and 24 other lawmakers.

Under the current constitution, candidates for the house of representatives can contest from age 25, while those seeking to be governors or senators must be at least 35.

Etim, who represents Offong/Oruko/Udung Uko federal constituency in Akwa Ibom State, said the existing age limit hinders the political growth of young Nigerians.

He explained that the 10-year gap between eligibility for the house and the higher offices restricts young lawmakers who begin their political careers early.

He noted that lawmakers who enter the house at 25 and serve two terms will be 33 but still unable to contest for the senate or governorship.

The proposed amendment aims to reduce the age requirement to 30, maintaining a five-year gap between the house and higher offices.

“If a member enters at 25 and spends two terms, he will be 33 and still cannot go to the senate or become a governor. We should maintain the five-year difference as it has always been,” the lawmaker said.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the bill to a voice vote, and the majority of lawmakers supported its progression. The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative work.

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