#NotTooYoungToRun Bill: Saraki, Senate deserve lots of accolades

Nigeria democracy recorded a historical and landmark victory on Thursday with the assent to the much celebrated and agitated Not too Young to Run Bill, ten months after the Senate took a hhistorically bold step to pass it into law.

It would not be out of place to say since Nigeria returned to democratic government in 1999, no bill has had this high level of impression and received so much attention like the just assented Not Too Young to Run Bill and no Senate has been so effective and efficient like the present Senate. This is not unconnected with the fact that it is a bill that directly affects the majority of the populace, the youths who make up about 60% of the total population of the nation.

The Bill is an amendment of Section 65 (1), 106(b), 131 (b), 177 (b) of the constitution. Prior to the amendment, the Constitution required that anyone vying for a seat at the National Assembly must attain the age of 35 years for Senate and 30 years for House of Representatives; section 106 (b) stipulated that a candidate must attain the age of 30yrs before contesting for a seat at the state House of Assembly; Section 131 (b) pegged the age of 40 years for candidates vying for the office of the President; while Section 177(b) pegged Age of governorship candidates as for 35 years.

From this, it is clear that the Nigerian constitution was deliberately configured to disenfranchise the majority of the population, who are the youths from age 18 to 28 years from seeking political office at their prime, which is why many take solace in serving as political errand boys.

With this amendment, passage and signing into law, age of a Presidential aspirant has been reduced from 40 years to 30 years; Governors have been reduced from 35 years to 30 years; Senate from 35 years to 30 years; House of Representatives from 30 years to 25 years; and House of Assembly which was hitherto at 30 years has been reduced to 25 years.

Kudos must be given to the present Senate under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki for daring all odds and listening to the voice of reasoning to lift the barrier that has cut off so many young people with intellect, vigour and passion to advance the course of the nation through public elective office.

It would be recalled that the bill, which was finally signed into law by the President on Thursday, after so much appeal and advocacy by Civil Society Organisations, was passed into law ten months ago, July 2017. The Senate's passage of the Bill gave it the needed fillip to move forward and see the light of the day, it could have been killed on arrival at the Senate if the Senate is not truly committed to its success.

The Nigerian Senate demonstrated a high level of responsibility and commitment to the inclusion of a very crucial segment of the nation's population in Democratic governance and not the popular use as political thugs and attack dogs.

It is also a huge demonstration that the present Senate led by Saraki is truly committed to youth development and not just mouthing the commitment. It is walking the talk. And this is evident with the high number of young appointees working as aides to the Senate President.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, was also quoted to have said that the passage and assent to the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill, will be the first phase in the journey for more youth inclusion in politics. Advising the youths "to use same energy that you applied to the ‘Not Too Young to Run’, to push for free and fair elections. When you have the voice, you have the numbers."

While we continue to give lots of accolades to the Senate President and the Senate for the removal of the major barrier serving as impediment to youths inclusion in governance, the ball is now in the court of the young people to fully take charge of this bill to their advantage

I am 35years old. I don't really see the benefit of the so called not too young to rule bill.

It reduces president from 40 years to 35 years. How is that important?

It left Governor and Senate as 35 years it has always been.

It reduces house of rep and house of assembly from 30 years to 25 years.

At what age do most Nigerians succeed financially to have the capacity to compete in Nigeria expensive and violent election?

The bill is going to favour the children of politicians and the children of the rich.
This will further promote Nepotism in the system.
The only persons in that age bracket who can compete in Nigeria politics are children of politicians and the rich.

Saraki and his fellow senators deliberately refused to reduce the age requirement to contest for Senate because they don't want younger people to contest their seats against them. They deserve no accolades for their selfishness.

Okay! Next?

Whoever you give it to will give it back to Buhari as deserved.
If you like give this accolade to FFK he ll thank buhari later.

I love saraki

washing and setting.

capital YES.

For what kwanu. Abeggi

seunmsg:
Saraki and his fellow senators deliberately refused to reduce the age requirement to contest for Senate because they don't want younger people to contest their seats against them. They deserve no accolades for their selfishness.

Bros, no vex, I would like to know what you regularly have for breakfast; I really want to know what influences your thought processes...

Of all things you could see here, is " their selfishness"

Saraki rules the nation

[s]

seunmsg:
Saraki and his fellow senators deliberately refused to reduce the age requirement to contest for Senate because they don't want younger people to contest their seats against them. They deserve no accolades for their selfishness.

[/s]
trash trash trash
that you're a Muslim does not make you allergic to the truth
Saraki is the best senate president since democracy
suck it up
asalamualykum bro

life2017:
I am youth. I don't really see the benefit of the so called not too young to rule bill.
.It reduces president from 40 years to 35 years. How is that important?

It left Governor and Senate as 35 years it has always been.

It reduces house of rep and house of assembly from 30 years to 25 years.

At what age do most Nigeria succeed financially?

The bill is going to favour the children of politicians and the children of the rich. This will further promote Nepotism in the system. because the only persons in that age bracket who can compete in Nigeria politics are children of politicians and the rich.

You were making sense until the last past

They deserve some accolades abek

Promise Land awaits me, ASO-ROCK straight

akeentech:

Olodo

instead for you to read and learn, you're following me up and down

They should give us Assurance first by.
1. Reducing the cost of buying electoral form.
2. Not interfering with the electoral process.
3. Let everything to be free and fair.

Can someone give Saraki. Ekweremadu, Akpabio, Bruce and Dino 2medals each, one for them and one should in case they lost the first one?

For doing what is ordinarily their job? This is pure stupidity.

I'm confused really about this bill. Does the bill reduce the prices of different forms for different political positions? Like the presidential form from 27m to 5m? So that the youths can purchase them with ease.

DIYhackers:
instead for you to read and learn, you're following me up and down

Who are you to be followed up n down

NOT AT ALL

life2017:
I am youth. I don't really see the benefit of the so called not too young to rule bill.
.It reduces president from 40 years to 35 years. How is that important?

It left Governor and Senate as 35 years it has always been.

It reduces house of rep and house of assembly from 30 years to 25 years.

At what age do most Nigeria succeed financially?

The bill is going to favour the children of politicians and the children of the rich. This will further promote Nepotism in the system. because the only persons in that age bracket who can compete in Nigeria politics are children of politicians and the rich.

that is the truth

DIYhackers:

You were making sense until the last past

The last part

DIYhackers:

You were making sense until the last past

The last part is the most important in my write up.
25 year old from poor background will find it difficult to compete.

[center][/center]This will be mading seeing a young and able tough in power

The sad reality is that the status quo remains what it is and willcontinue to be based on the current situation. Come next election, who are you voting?

Which accolades?
The person who deserves accolades is our amiable president. If pmb had refused to sign the bill into law, nothing would have happened.

When he didn’t sign the peace corps bill despite their empty threat, Heaven didn’t fall.
Though, I say a very big thank you to all the senators on that bill.

God bless pmb..
God bless Nigeria