Bill to Raise Academic Qualification for President, Governors, Others Scales First Reading
- The House of Reps is considering a bill seeking to increase the minimum educational qualification for the election as president
- The constitution alteration bill, sponsored by Adewunmi Onanuga also seeks to raise the qualification for a governor, state and federal lawmaker
- The bill seeking to amend sections 65, 106, 131 and 171 of the 1999 Constitution was read the first time on Tuesday, February 1
A bill seeking to increase the minimum educational qualification for election into the office of the president, governor, state and federal lawmaker has been introduced to the House of Representatives.
The bill sponsored by Adewunmi Onanuga, a lawmaker from Ogun state, on Tuesday, February 1, passed the first reading at the lower chamber, The Cable reports.
Source: Facebook
The Constitution alteration bill seeks to amend sections 65, 106, 131 and 171 of the 1999 Constitution that a person must be qualified for election into the aforementioned elective offices if he/she “has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent”.
In another report by Premium Times, the proposed legislation seeks to raise the qualification to at least a university degree level or its equivalent.
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For these sections of the constitution to be amended, they must be supported by 24 states houses of assembly.
Reps pass Electoral Bill but without compulsory direct primary clause
In a previous report by Legit.ng, the House of Representatives has passed the electoral act amendment bill after revising the compulsory direct primary clause.
The House at its sitting removed clause (84) requiring political parties to only select candidates through direct primaries.
President Muhammadu Buhari had declined assent to the bill, citing his reservations with the direct primary clause.
The amended clause read: “The procedure for nomination of candidates by political parties for various elective positions shall be by direct and indirect primaries.”
Electoral bill: I don't believe in direct primaries, Buhari blows hot, slams National Assembly
Meanwhile, President Buhari said he personally does not believe in direct primaries in choosing candidates of various political parties for elections.
Speaking on his rejection of the Electoral Bill in an interview, Buhari stated that there should be options in choosing candidates for election, Daily Trust reports.
The president disclosed that introducing only direct primaries is not democratic.
Source: Legit.ng
