…championed by Hon. Martins Esin
By John Ntekim
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for Second Reading a Bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to lower the minimum age for election into the Senate and the office of state governor from 35 to 30 years.
The proposed amendment, sponsored by 25 lawmakers led by Hon. Martins Esin, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Development, aims to further expand political inclusion for young Nigerians.
Hon. Esin who represents Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency, explained that the initiative became necessary following a previous constitutional amendment by the 9th National Assembly, which reduced the qualifying age for aspirants to the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly from 30 to 25 years.
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“Today, to be a senator or a governor in this country, you need to attain the minimum age of 35. This further proves that if a Member at age 25 spends two terms in the House of Representatives, he will still not qualify to go to the Senate or to become a governor. The House should look into this,” Esin argued.
The bill received unanimous support from lawmakers and was subsequently referred by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative consideration.
