The proposed amendments stipulate that individuals running for presidential or gubernatorial positions must not exceed the age of 60.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives advanced a bill to its second reading that could significantly affect prominent political figures in Nigeria.

Introduced by Representative Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, the bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution by setting an age limit of 60 years for candidates vying for the offices of President or Governor.

The amendments specifically target Section 131 of the Constitution to enforce the age restriction for presidential candidates and Section 177 to apply the same criteria to gubernatorial aspirants. Additionally, the bill mandates that candidates must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in their respective fields.

Notable political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, aged 78, Peter Obi, aged 68, and Nigeria’s current President, Bola Tinubu, reportedly aged 72, would be impacted by these proposed changes.

The fate of the bill remains uncertain, as its eventual passage and presidential assent will determine its implementation.