President Goodluck Jonathan has advocated for a
young President by seeking the removal of the
constitutional age limit of 40 years for a Nigerian
to become president.
NAN reports that, the President made the call in
Abuja on Saturday, while speaking at an
international youth conference, organised by the
Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF),
tagged: “Capacity for Change for a New Nigeria.”
President Goodluck Jonathan
Jonathan, who described the constitutional
provision as being discriminatory against young
Nigerians, who had the energy, ideas and other
qualities to lead the country to greatness tasked
the youth to forward a constitution amendment bill
to the National Assembly for the removal of all
discriminatory provisions in terms of age and
promised to support the move.
According to him, the call made by Moses Siasia,
Chairman and Founder of NYPF, for 35 per cent
affirmative action for the youth in governance was
also a limitation to the aspiration of the group.
The President explained that requesting for a
percentage amounted to self-limitation, insisting
that the youths had all that was needed to rule,
especially the numerical strength to get the highest
office in the country.
“The youths have no limit in terms of number and
capacity to lead this country to greatness. The
only limit is that for youths to contest as president,
they need to be 40. If Gen. Yakubu Gowon was
able to rule this country at 32, there is no reason
why the youths should not be given the chance.
So, don’t ask for per cent because by that request
you are limiting yourselves. I think what the youth
should do now is to come together, and I will
support you, and take a bill to the National
Assembly to amend some discriminatory
provisions of the constitution in terms of age,’’
President Jonathan further assured the youths of
his administration’s readiness to implement
policies and programmes that would continue to
harness their huge potential for national
development.

I like this. There are youth in Nigeria who have the vision to make this country great. Politics should not be reserved for the elderly.

source

I will take him serious if he not contest d 2015 presidential election to allow a younger person to contest otherwise I see it as political gimmick.

Good one. The constitution is descrimatory in that regard and I am of the opinion that as far as one is up to 18 years of age, he/she sould be allowed to contest for any post in the cointry.

danot1030: I will take him serious if he not contest d 2015 presidential election to allow a younger person to contest otherwise I see it as political gimmick.

The constitution should amended first before your humble suggestion can be taken into cognisance.

danot1030: I will take him serious if he not contest d 2015 presidential election to allow a younger person to contest otherwise I see it as political gimmick.

GBAM!

I like this...

hmmm i smell lies

Great news if its borne from sincerity. I hope he does this for the youths.