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![[STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT] President Tinubu To Embark On Working Visit To Paris](/media/k2/items/cache/1baaf1f7f7ef357ebd6412a16a3791c2_L.jpg)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart for Paris, France, today on a short working visit.
During the visit, the President will appraise his administration's mid-term performance and assess key milestones.
He will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration's second anniversary.
This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year.
Recent economic strides reinforce the President's commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion—a testament to the administration's fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion.
While away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities.
He will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
The President of the Ijaw Nation Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a careless speaker who could say anything under the influence of alcohol.
Prof Okaba said this in response to Wike’s claim that the Ijaws are a minority ethnic group in Nigeria.
Wike recently made a controversial comment while addressing journalists about the political crisis involving him and Siminalayi Fubara, an Ijaw man who succeeded him as governor of Rivers State.
Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Professor of Sociology dismissed Wike’s remark as a careless comment.
Prof Okaba explained that the Ijaws are among the four largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and that their territories extend beyond the country’s land areas.
He said, “The person you’re talking about (Wike) could say anything under the influence of alcohol and later debunk it; he is a very careless speaker. These are basic demographics that are well-known. Ijaws are not the fourth largest; they are one of the four largest.
“Most times, we look at the land mass, the land mass in terms of space cannot exist outside a water space. So the boundaries of the Ijawland or may be Nigeria beyond land; it goes into the rivers. So from wherever that is a boundary of Nigeria, all that River spots belong to the Ijawland.”
Prof Okaba explained further that the Ijaws are the most populous ethnic group in the Niger Delta region, spreading across six states.
“We are not minorities, in fact, we are the most populous and most indigenous ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, that’s a fact that is well known. Ijaws are in six states,” he maintained.
Apart from Bayelsa State, he stated that the Ijaws are indigenous to many communities in Abia, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Rivers State, adding that Wike’s comment was a deliberate distortion of fact.
“They are in Abia. 26 communities in Abia State are indigenous Ijaw people. So we felt that was a deliberate distortion. In Delta State, we have more than four local government areas; even in Rivers State, we have 10 and a half local government areas, and Ikwerre has three. Forget about those who distorted political census figures; when the time comes for real counting, we shall know them. Ijaws are in Ondo State; they are in Edo State, he submitted.
The academic, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu not to allow one individual to destroy his efforts to ensure democracy in Nigeria, stating that Wike is nothing outside government.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA) party challenging the outcome of the state’s September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, ruled against the petition filed against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Action Alliance (AA) and one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje had filed a petition before the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
Omoaje had, in the petition, asked the Tribunal to declare the declaration of Okpebholo and APC as winners of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as illegal, unlawful, unconditional, and null and void due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
He also alleged corruption and that Okpebholo and APC did not win the majority of lawful votes in the election.
Omoaje further alleged that AA was not allowed to nominate a lawful governorship candidate for the election, having not signed the nomination form as the National Chairman of the party.
However, the APC countered the allegations, stating that the petitioners, who claimed there was over-voting, had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove their case.
The APC argued that in order to prove over-voting, the petitioner needed to call polling unit agents, eyewitnesses who could testify to the alleged irregularities.
The APC’s legal team contended that the AA had failed to meet this requirement, urging the tribunal to dismiss the case as it lacked merit, jurisdiction, and competence.
In response, the tribunal agreed with the APC’s defense and struck out the petition, citing the petitioners’ failure to present sufficient proof of their claims.
Additionally, in one of its rulings, the tribunal noted that only the candidate who contested the election is legally entitled to challenge the outcome. Since the AA’s candidate did not contest the election, the tribunal held that the AA, as a party, lacked the standing to challenge the result.
The Tribunal also held that Omoaje’s grievance against the election was that he was not recognized as the National Chairman of the Action Alliance for the purpose of nominating candidates for the poll. However, it was held that his claims had no basis in the Electoral Act of 2022.
Booker’s marathon speech required him to stay on his feet without taking a break, echoing the famous filibuster scene from Smith Goes to Washington (1939).
His effort surpassed the previous record set by Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
“Strom Thurmond’s record always… really irked me,” Booker later told MSNBC.
“That the longest speech on our great Senate floor was someone who was trying to stop people like me from being in the Senate.”
A Defiant Stand for Democracy
As Booker approached the record-breaking moment, Democratic lawmakers filled the chamber in support, while most Republicans remained absent.
“This is a moral moment. It’s not left or right. It’s right or wrong,” Booker declared before concluding his speech.
Citing his mentor, civil rights leader John Lewis, he encouraged Americans to embrace “good trouble” before yielding the floor.
Despite the physical strain, Booker maintained his composure, even injecting humor into the moment.
“I want to go a little bit past this and then I’m going to deal with some of the biological urgencies I’m feeling,” he joked.
Criticizing Trump’s Leadership
Booker, a former presidential candidate, began speaking at 7:00 PM Monday and continued until 8:05 PM Tuesday.
While his speech did not technically block Senate proceedings, it became a rallying cry for Democrats concerned about Trump’s administration.
He condemned the president’s aggressive policies, including radical budget cuts and executive overreach, particularly criticizing Elon Musk, Trump’s top advisor, for dismantling government programs without congressional approval.
“Unnecessary hardships are being borne by Americans of all backgrounds. And institutions which are special in America, which are precious and which are unique in our country, are being recklessly — and I would say even unconstitutionally — affected, attacked, even shattered,” Booker stated.
He further warned that Trump’s leadership had severely harmed American democracy.
“In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy,” he said.
Still, he encouraged Americans to remain hopeful: “The power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
Enduring the Physical Challenge
After the speech, Booker shared how he managed the grueling experience.
“My strategy was to stop eating. I think I stopped eating Friday and then to stop drinking the night before I started on Monday,” he explained.
While the approach helped, it came with drawbacks.
“Different muscle groups start to really cramp up,” he admitted, adding that dehydration made the challenge even tougher.
In a statement released later, Booker acknowledged that he was “tired and a little hoarse” but remained resolute in his message.
A Symbolic Protest
With Democrats in the minority in both the Senate and the House, lawmakers have struggled to counter Trump’s efforts to shrink government, increase deportations, and dismantle political norms.
Fellow Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock commended Booker for his effort.
“I just want to thank you for holding vigil for this country all night,” he said.
Throughout his speech, Booker not only criticized Trump’s policies but also recited poetry, discussed sports, and engaged with colleagues to keep the momentum going.
“If you love your neighbor, if you love this country, show your love. Stop them from doing what they’re trying to (do),” he urged.
His record-breaking speech now stands as a defining moment in Senate history
Popular Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, also known as 2Face or 2Baba, on Wednesday, stormed the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
He arrived at the tribunal with his new lover, Natasha Osawaru, who is the lawmaker representing Egor Constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly.
The tribunal is set to deliver judgement on the petition the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, filed to nullify the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Osawaru, who is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Edo State Assembly, was elected on the platform of the PDP.
In January, 2Face announced his separation from his wife, Annie.
His subsequent proposal to Natasha the next month gained widespread attention.
Since then, the singer and the lawmaker have been spotted together in public on multiple occasions, including shopping outings and social engagements.
The Edo lawmaker recently updated her Instagram bio to reflect the singer’s surname, Idibia.
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has again faulted the Rivers’ state of emergency.
Naija News reports that Obi said the political crisis in Rivers State did not require the action of a state of emergency.
In an interview with Arise News, on Tuesday, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party said even though he had issues with his successor, Willy Obiano, he allowed him to govern.
“You cannot take the action that has been taken in River State for what happened. There’s a clear path to dealing with that issue. River State, for the past two years, has become ungovernable for obvious political reasons and interests, which shouldn’t be in a democratic environment. It’s clear. It shouldn’t be. I have been a governor, and I have left government, had issues with the person that replaced me, with my successor.
“But, for God’s sake, the state is far more important than anybody. We have a governor who has been sworn in as a governor, he should be allowed to govern,” he said.
Responding to a question from the anchor, Charles, whether he subscribed to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi‘s allegation that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State to intimidate governors ahead of 2027, Obi stated that it was unfortunate.
He added that if that is what President Tinubu was trying to do, it showed the country has no democracy.
“Well, for me, what happened in the Rivers State is very unfortunate, and is impacting very negatively to the little or remaining democratic space we had. It eroded a lot from there. So, as for intimidating the governors for 2027, it shouldn’t be. The governors are going to seek re-election. You’re going to seek re-election. You’re going to seek re-election based on what you’ve been able to do, your performance, on Nigerians. The governors just have one vote. It is because of what I told you that it is not a democratic country that you are trying to intimidate the governors,” he stated.
When Charles pressed further whether he believed the President’s action was to intimidate governors ahead of 2027, Obi responded, “I believe so. I believe so.”
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has said Peter Obi’s style of politics may not be enough to defeat President Bola Tinubu in an election.
Adeyanju stated this while responding to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party’s analyses of President Tinubu’s nearly two years in office, on Tuesday.
Naija News reported that Obi condemned the hardship in the country and also faulted the situation of Nigeria’s democracy under Tinubu.
On his ? handle on Wednesday, Adeyanju wrote: “Peter Obi is on Arise talking calmly and gently about Nigeria. Nigerians acting like they are not aware sef. In today’s Nigeria, Obi is only good for beautiful speeches and motivational beautiful stories about China, etc. Only extremely rugged folks can contest against Tinubu.”
Meanwhile, a former member of Peter Obi and Ahmed Datti’s presidential campaign organization, Fabian Onunaku has responded to criticism of Obi’s interview by Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala.
Naija News reported that Bwala said the former Governor of Anambra’s analyses of Tinubu’s policies were lacking in facts. He added that Obi had yet to recover from his loss in 2023.
Reacting, Onunaku responded: “You can spin it all you want, but Peter Obi spoke about what the people feel and live every day. He spoke truth to power, something that even you will not understand, since you have swallowed your own vomit to become a defender of the indefensible. All the presidential spokesmen in the world cannot change that. Your employers might be happy with you for insulting Obi, but you can’t fool the Nigerian people. The more you insult him, the more his support base increases. You people have absolutely nothing to offer Nigerians.”
[STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Reconstitutes NNPC Limited Board, Appoints New Chairman, Group CEO
Admin![[STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Reconstitutes NNPC Limited Board, Appoints New Chairman, Group CEO](/media/k2/items/cache/6af30bfdf3d4edbf3cb0c3c6705d3a57_S.jpg)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board, removing the chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the group chief executive officer, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari.
President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.
The new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman.
Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board by President Tinubu.
Six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country's geopolitical zones. They are Bello Rabiu, North West, Yusuf Usman, North East, and Babs Omotowa, a former managing director of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas( NLNG), who represents North Central.
President Tinubu appointed Austin Avuru as a non-executive director from the South-South, David Ige as a Non-executive director from the South West, and Henry Obih as a non-executive director from the South East.
Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the ministry on the new board, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
All the appointments are effective today, April 2.
President Tinubu, invoking the powers granted under Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, emphasised that the board's restructuring is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.
President Tinubu also handed out an immediate action plan to the new board: to conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture Assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives.
Since 2023, the Tinubu administration has implemented oil sector reforms to attract investment. Last year, NNPC reported $17 billion in new investments within the sector. The administration now envisions increasing the investment to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030.
The Tinubu administration targets raising oil production to two million barrels daily by 2027 and three million daily by 2030. Concurrently, the government wants gas production jacked to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet by 2030.
Furthermore, President Tinubu expects the new board to elevate NNPC's share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030.
The new board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is from Borno State. He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received a degree in civil engineering in 1984. He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris
He started his career in the oil industry at Elf Petroleum Nigeria and later joined Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985.
Musa became Total Nigeria's Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services in 2015. Last year, he became an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group.
Apart from his oil industry career, Ahmadu Musa Kida is a former basketballer and the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation(NBBF) board.
Ojulari, the new NNPC Limited Group CEO, hails from Kwara State.
Until his new appointment, He was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. His Renaissance recently led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the landmark acquisition of the entire equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), worth $2.4 billion.
Like Kida, Ojulari is also an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Elf Aquitaine as the first Nigerian process engineer to begin a stellar career in the oil sector. From Elf, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991 as an associate production technologist.
Apart from working in Nigeria, he worked in Europe and the Middle East in different capacities as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager. In 2015, he became the managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).
During his career, he was chairman and member of the board of trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
President Tinubu thanked the old board members for their dedicated service to NNPC Limited, particularly their efforts in rehabilitating the old Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which enabled them to resume petroleum product production after prolonged shutdowns. He wished them well in their future endeavours.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
Operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) have arrested two principal suspects involved in the killing of 16 Nigerians of Northern extraction in Uromi, Esan North-East local government area of Edo State last week.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the DSS in Uromi, following credible intelligence. Operatives of various security agencies were hunting for other key suspects involved in the unfortunate incidents
Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, had on Monday during a condolence visit to Kano State, revealed that 14 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the killing and were to be moved to Abuja for further interrogation.
Governor Okpebholo, who visited the State to condole with the government and families of the victims, had vowed that justice will be served and those involved in the killing will be brought to justice.
Governor Okpebholo had also assured families of the victims that adequate compensations will be paid.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday evening by the Edo State governor’s media office, said the two principal suspects arrested by officials of the DSS, have been transferred to Abuja, the nation’s capital, for further interrogation and prosecution by the relevant authorities.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking
The fate of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, will be decided within the next 90 days.
Last week, constituents from Kogi Central submitted a recall petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office. INEC is now in the process of verifying the signatures attached to the petition.
For the petition to progress, it must be endorsed by more than half of the registered voters in the Kogi Central District.
According to Punch, if the required threshold is met, the commission will organize a referendum within 90 days from receiving the petition. According to INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a public notice will be issued, providing details of the referendum’s time, date, and location.
However, if the petition fails to meet the necessary number of signatures, a public notice will be issued informing the public of this outcome.
INEC’s guidelines dictate that a referendum will only be conducted if it is confirmed that over half of the registered voters in the district support the petition.
The recall petition stems from several controversies surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan, including her suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025, for alleged “gross misconduct” following a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The petition cites “loss of confidence” as the main reason for the recall and accuses the suspended senator of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and deceit.
Accompanying the petition were six bags filled with documents containing signatures collected from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in Kogi Central.
These signatures were gathered from 902 polling units across the five local government areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene.
As part of the recall process, Naija News gathered that INEC has sent a notification letter to Akpoti-Uduaghan, informing her of the receipt of the petition. A copy of the letter has also been forwarded to the presiding officer of the Senate.
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Residents of Olena in Asa community, Otukpo LGA of Benue State, have fled their homes following a series of attacks by suspected herdsmen.
DAILY POST gathered that the community has been under siege for the past four days, with several people killed and many others abducted.
A resident, who spoke to our reporter, confirmed that villagers were forced to flee on Monday night when it became clear that help was not coming.
He lamented that the attackers had been terrorizing the community unchallenged for days.
“I am currently in Upu. I escaped with my family this night. At the moment, we have all vacated our community. Olena has been under attack for days now.
“They have killed and kidnapped several people. We have been crying for help, but no security agents have come to our rescue. I barely managed to escape with my life and my family tonight.
“Olena is under serious attack as we speak,” he said.
Our reporter also obtained video clips showing residents fleeing their homes on Monday night as the attacks continued.
[DailyPost]
Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chief Chijioke Edeoga, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party.
Edeoga, who had served the PDP in various capacities, including as a House of Representatives member, commissioner for local government affairs and commissioner for environment, among others, lauded Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership style during his official return at the PDP secretariat on Monday.
“I am impressed by Governor Mbah’s visionary, innovative, and transformative leadership, which has inspired me to return to the PDP,” he said.
Edeoga acknowledged that his decision might not be well received by some, but stressed the need for unity and a strong front ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I know that my decision to return to the PDP may not be appreciated by some, but I believe it is time for us to unite as a family and form a formidable front,” he said.
The state PDP Chairman, Dr Martin Chukwunwike, welcomed Edeoga back to the party, saying his return was a testament to Mbah’s “audacious leadership.”
He said, “We are excited to have Edeoga back in the PDP fold, and we are confident that more former members who had left the party would soon return.”
The Chairman of Isi-uzo Local Government Area, Obiora Obegu, described Edeoga’s return as “a step in the right direction.”
He added, “With Edeoga’s return, the PDP will now become stronger and more united, free from distractions and rancour.”
[Punch]
Mali, Burkina Faso, And Niger Impose 0.5% Levy On Imported Goods From Nigeria, Other ECOWAS Nations
AFOLABI
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced the implementation of a 0.5% levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other member-states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as they seek to fund a new regional union following their exit from the bloc.
The announcement, made in an official statement on Friday, marks a significant shift in trade relations within West Africa, with the new levy taking effect immediately.
The statement clarified that the levy would apply to all imported goods, except for humanitarian aid, and would be used to finance the activities of the new bloc, although no further details were provided on how the funds would be utilized.
The move effectively ends the free trade agreement that had been in place across West Africa under the ECOWAS umbrella for several decades.
This levy is part of a broader strategy by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to build a new union after their departure from ECOWAS.
The three countries, each currently ruled by military juntas following coups in 2023, had previously established the Alliance of Sahel States as a security pact.
Over time, this alliance has grown into an economic union with aspirations for greater military and financial integration, including plans to introduce biometric passports.
Last year, the three nations left ECOWAS, citing insufficient support from the bloc in combating Islamist insurgencies and addressing ongoing insecurity within their borders.
In response, ECOWAS imposed economic, political, and financial sanctions on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, aiming to pressure them to return to constitutional order. However, these sanctions have had little effect on the three countries, which continue to strengthen their alliance.
A bill currently on the floor of the House of Representatives, seeking to stop anyone above 60 years from vying for election to the offices of the Nigerian President and State Governor has triggered controversy.
DAILY POST reports that the bill, sponsored by Imo lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere was passed for second reading at the lower legislative chamber on Thursday.
If the bill scales through legislative scrutiny and is signed into law, the majority of the 2027 presidential hopefuls, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, will be missing.
This is because they are all over 60 years.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to review the requirements that qualify a person to be elected as President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Governors and Deputy Governor of a State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for Related Matters”, was one of the 31 proposed legislations which scaled second reading during Thursday’s plenary session.
The bill provides that “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if he has been educated up to at least university level and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in his chosen field of study.
“Section 131 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting a paragraph which reads, “That he is not more than 60 years at the time of vying for the Office of President.
“Section 177(d) of the principal Act is amended by altering the educational requirement that qualifies persons to be elected as governor as follows:
“A person shall be qualified for election to the Office of the President if he has been educated up to at least university level and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in his chosen field of study.
“That he is not more than 60 years old at the time of vying for the office of Governor.”
While the bill was spontaneously accepted by Nigerian youths, who feel they have been marginalized for years, others rejected the move.
Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill
On May 31, 2018, the then Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari signed the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill into law, signalling hope for the younger generation, who may be vying for any political office.
The law reduces the age qualification for the office of Nigerian President from 40 to 35; state governor from 35 to 30; senator from 35 to 30 Federal House of Representatives and State House of Assembly membership from 30 to 25.
However, the majority of the elective positions across the country are still occupied by older politicians, fueling the move to enact law that would retire them and pave the way for younger politicians.
Some respondents, who spoke with DAILY POST on the age limit bill, expressed divergent opinions on the matter.
Nigeria needs clinical electoral reform system, not age limit – Osita Okechukwu
Mr. Osita Okechukwu, former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, VON, and one of the founding brothers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, says rather that the age limit bill, Nigeria needs a clinical electoral reform system.
In a chat with DAILY POST, Osita opined that “age is a non-issue as per our national predicament. Rather the issue is the bandit mindset, whereby we all behave like bandits in all spheres of our life.
“Otherwise, how come we’ve cult members in junior secondary schools? Is it different from we the corrupt old men, whom they refer to as failed generations?
“All we need is a clinical electoral reform system as expressly recommended in the Uwais Report of 2008”.
The APC chieftain appealed to President Bola Tinubu, State Governors and members of the National and State Assemblies to “muster the political will to deepen our democracy and catapult Nigeria to giant status; by amending the constitutional nomination process of INEC and SIEC executives as recommended by Uwais Report interalia.
“Advertise all positions, spelling out requisite Qualifications! Receive Applications/Nominations from the General Public; Shortlist 3 Persons for each position and send to the National Council of State to select one from the Shortlist and forward to the Senate for Confirmation”.
“My submission is that it is only the truly independent INEC and SIEC which will ensure the highest quality and the highest standard of our general elections”, he added.
Ageism can’t stand in Nigerian law – Sowore
The 54-year-old presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the last election, Omoyele Sowore has also rejected the bill, stating that such discrimination won’t stand in Nigerian law.
In a chat with DAILY POST, Sowore expressed pessimism about the progression of the bill, saying it may not see the light of day.
According to Sowore, “I am pretty sure the proposal won’t see the light of the day, I just think these legislators are trying to divert attention away from the scandalous role and the bribery saga involving the rivers state emergency rule.
“Any form of discrimination can’t stand in law, if it is based on age it is known as ageism. The fact that it is generally attractive doesn’t make it acceptable”.
Only the youths can savage Nigeria – Former Rep candidate
In his own view, Terzulum Ukpanya, a former candidate of the Labour Party for the Gboko/Tarka Federal constituency in Benue State said Nigeria may remain underdeveloped if the older politicians remain in power.
He said, “It is only when the Nigerian youths take back their country from these failed old politicians that things will be better.
“The only thing they know is how to acquire wealth for their unborn grandchildren. They have no vision for the country, they only plan for their pockets and that is why we keep seeing these unnecessary fights between them.
“It is so bad that when they get into power, they will want to plant their boys, who will be fraudulently remitting government money go them. This thing has been going on for ages and that is why we are where we are today.
“Their selfish interests have widened the gap between the rich and the poor because they keep acquiring wealth at the expense of the poor people.
“The president of France is just 47 years old. Go there and see what he is doing there. If President Tinubu falls sick today, he will go to a country where a 47-year-old boy is ruling. This is shameful.
“The age limit bill is a very good one but then, even if it is passed, who will sign it? It won’t go anywhere”.
[DailyPost]