Month: May 2018

President Buhari has finally signed the
today signed the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill into
law thereby making it possible for younger people
to contest for political offices.
Buhari signed the bill into law at the Council Chambers of the
Presidential Villa, Abuja, barely two days afterhe promised to do
so.
The law reduces the age qualification for president from 40 to 30;
governor from 35 to 30; senator from 35 to 30; House of
Representatives membership from 30 to 25 and State House of
Assembly membership from 30 to 25.
In his Democracy Day address on Tuesday, the President had
promised to sign the bill into law “in a few days’ time.”
The National Assembly had passed the bill last year, altering
sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the Constitution to reduce the
constitutional age requisition for president from 40 to 30; that of
the governor from 35 to 30; senator from 35 to 30; House of
Representatives membership from 30 to 25 and State House of
Assembly membership from 30 to 25.
President Buhari further made the following remarks after signing
the bill into law;
1. First, I would like to welcome you all to the State House. Today
is a significant day for all of us in Nigeria, and most especially our
young people – and role they play in our democracy, politics and
national life.
2. We are gathered here for the signing of the “Not Too Young To
Run Bill”, a landmark piece of legislation that was conceived,
championed and accomplished by young Nigerians.
3. The coordinators of the Not Too Young To Run movement have
now established a formidable legacy – which is that, in our
maturing democracy, if you really want to change something in
Nigeria, and if you can organise yourselves and work hard
towards it – you can achieve it. The outcome of such efforts is
this remarkable feat.
4. These efforts have resulted in the heroic task of enshrining in
law, a reduction of the minimum ages for elective office in Nigeria.
a. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the State Houses of
Assembly will be reduced from 30 to 25 years;
b. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the Federal House of
Representatives will be reduced from 30 to 25 years; and
c. Eligible age for aspirants for Office of the President, will be
lowered from 40 to 35 years.
5. Surprisingly, the age limits for Senators and Governors was not
reduced, as originally proposed by the sponsors of this Bill. This is
an issue that may need to be addressed going forward.
6. Nevertheless, your focus and contributions have now
successfully increased the quality and maturity of Nigerian
democracy and expanded the playing field for youth participation in
politics.
7. You, the young people of Nigeria, are now set to leave your
mark on the political space, just as you have done over the
decades in entrepreneurship, sports, art, media entertainment,
technology, and several other fields.
8. You are undoubtedly Nigeria’s most important resource – not
oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but you and all of us. Your
energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop
Nigeria, long after we are all gone.
9. This is an opportunity for me to affirm that this Administration
will continue to do everything in its power to make Nigeria work
for you.
10. You may all know that the Bill I just assented now becomes
an Act of the National Assembly.
11. Thus, it may be tempting for you to think of this as the end of
the journey. However, it is only the beginning; there is still a lot of
work ahead, towards ensuring that young people take full
advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this
constitutional amendment, but also through Nigeria’s boundless
prospects.
12. You should inculcate the spirit of self help. Those who
complete their training should not just sit down and wait for
government or private sector to employ them. You should be
innovative and turn your hands to any legitimate work that will
enable you to sustain yourself.
13. You may have noticed already that every one of you
represents one of our 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
This is because today is about preparing for the bright future of
our country.
14. I am confident each one of you will transform Nigeria in your
own way – whether through media, agricultural enterprise,
economists, engineers, or as lawmakers in your States or at
Federal levels, or as State Governors – and even someday, as
President. Why not?
But please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the
2019 elections!
15. Finally, let me say how proud I am, and how proud the entire
country is, of what you have accomplished. Congratulations and
best of luck with continuing to work to make Nigeria a greater
country for us and future generations of Nigerians.
16. God bless all the young people of Nigeria and God bless the
Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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