ABUJA – Opposition parties have come out swinging against the controversial bill passed for second reading in the House of Representatives seeking to bar Nigerians above 60 from running for President or Governor.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) all condemned the proposed legislation, calling it “misplaced,” “irrelevant,” and “embarrassing.”
Sponsored by Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the bill aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to restrict eligibility for the presidency and governorship to individuals under 60 years of age with a minimum of a university degree.
“A Bill That Misses the Mark” – PDP
Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, didn’t mince words.
“This set of lawmakers is the most unserious assembly in our history. Nigeria’s problem is not age—it’s incompetence, corruption, and a lack of patriotism,” he fired.
He accused the legislature of ignoring more pressing issues such as the economy, insecurity, and systemic failures.
“Instead of fixing what’s broken, they’re chasing shadows and embarrassing themselves before Nigerians.”
CUPP: “This Bill is Dead on Arrival”
Mark Adebayo, CUPP’s National Publicity Secretary, echoed Osadolor’s stance.
“Leadership is not about age. Even a 35-year-old can be corrupt and incompetent. Nigeria’s failures are rooted in greed, not age.”
He pointed to examples like Joe Biden and Lee Kuan Yew, stating that wisdom and competence—regardless of age—are what determine leadership quality.
“We’ve had young leaders who were disasters. So this amendment is not only unnecessary, it’s a distraction.”
SDP: Youth Are Important, But So Is Experience
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) took a more nuanced approach. Its spokesman, Rufus Aiyenigba, acknowledged the importance of youth inclusion but warned against undermining the role of experience in governance.
“Governance is not an entry-level job. It requires a blend of energy and wisdom.”
He advocated for mandatory live debates to evaluate candidates’ intellectual and emotional capacities instead of arbitrary age restrictions.
“Let’s focus on real solutions. If you want to test leadership potential, put them on a national debate stage—not on a birth certificate.”
2027 Election Implications Loom
If the bill becomes law, it would disqualify prominent 2023 presidential contenders like Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi—all of whom will be over 60 by the next general elections.
Critics argue the bill is a veiled attempt to sideline experienced politicians rather than solve Nigeria’s leadership woes.
Conclusion: Age Is Not the Problem—Corruption Is
While the bill’s sponsor may have intended to promote youth participation and generational shift, opposition parties and public critics agree that Nigeria’s leadership crisis is about values, not age.
Until structural issues like corruption, incompetence, and weak institutions are addressed, no age limit will fix Nigeria’s real political dysfunction.
