Rep Moves To Disqualify 70 Year-Old Above From Contesting In Presidential Election

The representative of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House Of Representatives has called for a ban on persons aged 70 years and above from contesting in presidential election in Nigeria.

Okpala noted that there was need to compliment the passage of the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ Act by setting a maximum age limit.

It could be recalled that the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign, which started on the Internet and social media, had led to the reduction of minimum age to contest elections into elective public offices, including the state House of Assembly, governorship, House of Representatives and the Senate.

The representative noted that he was going to lead the debate on ‘Too Old To Run’ when the house commenced another review of the constitution. Adding that, the legislation would be an advancement of the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ and help to inject new blood into the country’s leadership.

Okpala said “when you look at events now; look at other countries; when you look at France, let us see if we can get a young vibrant man to lead this country. It is a personal decision and that is my opinion; get a man so advanced. You cannot tell me that what somebody in his 50s – whether early 50s or late 50s – can do, a man in his 80s can do the same thing. It is not possible! This is nature.

“That is an area I should be looking at. If you get to an age, you should not be bothering to rule. If it (proposal) sails through, that is it! You should not run for president when you are 70 or 80. It is not targeted at anybody, but we want fresh blood; we want to inject fresh blood.”

He however expressed optimism that the bill would help in the devolution of power.

“Maybe that will help us succeed, in making sure that we reduce the power at the centre,” he noted.