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Black Thursday

Rostrum The ancient narrow pathway had become so bad that they could not find their way to their destination as the three moved in a grey Honda Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) being piloted by Dayo who was very mindful of the steering. It was on a Thursday. The 35-year-old Misters Dayo, Emeka and Okon were old time friends who reunited just a few days ago at Nsukka in Enugu State having lost contacts about eight years back, or thereabouts, after their graduation from one of the reputable higher citadels of learning in Nigeria situated in the Eastern part of the country, precisely University of Nigeria Nsukka popularly known by its acronym ‘U.N.N’. What occasioned the long-awaited reunion was the convention of their alma-mater’s alumni body themed ‘The homecoming of UNN Alumni’, which usually held once in a blue moon. Though they never studied in the same department, they were conspicuously best of friends during their school days that people within bega...

Lawmakers reduce Eligibility Age for Senate, Guber Positions to 30

Ken Akpan
A constitutional amendment bill seeking to reduce the minimum age for contesting the offices of Governor and Senator from 35 to 30 years has passed second reading in the Nigeria's House of Representatives, on November 18, 2025.

The proposal, titled A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Reduce the Age for Qualification for Membership of the Senate and Office of the Governor and for Related Matters (HB. 2235), is sponsored by Esin Martin Etim alongside 24 other lawmakers.

Nigeria’s current constitution stipulates that candidates for the Senate and governorship must be at least 35 years old, while those vying for the House of Representatives can contest from age 25.

Etim, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker, representing Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue Offong/Oruko Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, argued that the existing age requirement limits the political advancement of young legislators.

He noted that lawmakers who join the House at age 25 and serve two full terms would still be ineligible to run for Senate or governor at the end of eight years.

He said reducing the minimum age to 30 would create a more realistic pathway for younger politicians, maintaining a five-year gap between eligibility for the House of Representatives and the higher offices.

After the lead debate, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the bill to a voice vote, where it received overwhelming support for second reading.

The legislation has been forwarded to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further consideration.

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