Plot To Kill Not Too Young To Run Bill Thickens In House Of Reps

Our correspondent revealed that the bill is being stonewalled because some members believe it is a commercial bill, and the sponsor of the bill in the House, Hon. Tony Nwulu, received monies from the promoters and refused to share with others.

 National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria


Youth and citizens alike across the country were overjoyed when the Senate passed the Not Too Young To Run bill lowering age of contest for political office on Wednesday. However, this joy may be short-lived, as reports have indicated that there are ongoing efforts to kill the bill in the lower legislative house.

The Not Too Young To Run bill is one of the most contentious issues scheduled for debate when the house votes on Thursday, July 27. The house is divided into the anti- and pro- not too young to run members. Earlier on Wednesday, an honorable had brought in campaign materials mobilizing other members against the passage of the bill. This degenerated into a fisticuffs between two honorable on the floor of the house.
Our correspondent revealed that the bill is being stonewalled because some members believe it is a commercial bill, and the sponsor of the bill in the House, Hon. Tony Nwulu, received monies from the promoters and refused to share with others. However, the most touted excuse for working against the passage of the bill is the argument that Northern Youth will refuse to further their studies to the university level, if the bill is passed, but prefer to run for office. According to the proponents of these arguments, the average school completion age for northerner is 25 years of age. Some honorable, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said they are not encouraged to pass the bill as the Senate did not touch their own eligibility criteria.
The members against the bill are largely of northern extraction and led by the duo of Hon. Abubakar Chika Adamu representing Shiroro/Rafi/Munya constituency and Hon. Muhammed Gudaji Kazaure representing Kazaure federal constituency, both elected on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC).
SaharaReporters put a call through to Hon. Chika Adamu on 08035909090 to confirm the issues raised, but his phone was switched off, our SMS is yet to be responded to as at the time of going to press.
The Not Too Young to Run bill as passed by the Nigerian Senate has lowered the ages of qualification for running for President from 40 years to 35 years, Senate remains at 35, Governorship 30 and House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly at 25 years. The bill needs to be acceded to by 240 members of the 360 members of the House of Representatives for it to be considered by the State Houses of Assembly.
The Not Too Young To Run Movement shut down Abuja on Tuesday 25th July, with over 2000 young people marching in support of the bill. The group promised to continue demonstrating until is passed. The group has launched a hall of fame and shame for supporters and killers of the bill respectively. In an earlier press statement, the movement promised to start recall process against members who vote against the bill.