Buhari Signs “Not Too Young To Run” Bill As Senators, Governors Age Not Reduced

Agency ReporterMay 31, 2018

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President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law the bill seeking to reduce age qualification to hold elective office in the country.

Bashir Ahmad, an aide to the president on new media, disclosed this in a tweet on Thursday.

“History is made, President @MBuhari has signed into law the #NotTooYoungToRun bill. Congratulations to all young men and women at @YIAGA and all the supporters of the movement,” Ahmad tweeted.

Both chambers of the national assembly passed the bill in July 2017 after which it was sent to the state assemblies.

Twenty-four out of the 36 state houses assembly passed the legislation better known as the ‘Not too young to run bill.

The bill seeks to reduce age qualification to hold elective office in the country.

The age bracket for those seeking election into state houses of assemblies will be reduced from 30 to 25 years, while that of the house of representatives will be reduced from 30 to 25 years.

The law will also reduce the age limit for the office of the president from 40 to 35 years.

The bill had also sought to reduce the age bracket for the office of a governor from 35 to 30, and that of the Senate from 35 to 30.

“Surprisingly, the age limits for senators and governors were not reduced, as originally proposed by the sponsors of this bill,” Buhari said when he signed the bill.

“This is an issue that may need to be addressed going forward.”

It is not yet clear why the lawmakers removed the provision.