Buhari applauded approving reduction of age for running elective office

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been applauded for approving the downward review of age qualification to run for a political office in Nigeria by signing into law the age reduction bill.

Convener of Not Too Young To Run Movement, Mr Innocent Itodo, while addressing a world press conference on Friday in Abuja, said President Buhari has written his name in “gold” for listening to demands of the youth of the country.

He said the signing into law of the bill would not only ensure youth participation in the democratic process but reduce political violence and instability in the country.

He, however, called on the President to expedite action on signing into law the electoral reform bills bordering on limiting campaign expenditure and cost of securing party nomination.

Itodo, said the bill as asserted by President Buhari, reduces the age qualification for the office of the President from 40 to 35; House of Representatives 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly 30 to 25.

He added that age qualification for Governor and Senate was retained at 35 years contrary to the demands of the Nigerian people, saying the retention of the 35 years for both Governor and Senate positions was unfortunate and disappointing.

He called on the National Assembly to revisit its vote on the age qualification for both offices, while also ensuring that the law is immediately gazetted.

“The 2019 elections present an opportunity for young people to assert their power not only as voters or campaign merchants but also as qualified electoral candidates,” he said.

He said the movement was committed to inspiring and supporting more youth candidates with content and character to run for office through its Ready To Run initiative and other interventions aimed at promoting youth candidacy in the next elections.

The youth movement demanded that political parties should reserve 50 percent of party tickets for capable, competent, and morally upright youth aspirants across all elections in 2019, while also calling for the enthronement of internal party democracy.