LP Calls For Ban On Politicians Over 70 From Contesting Elections

LP Calls For Ban On Politicians Over 70 From Contesting ElectionsThe leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has called on the National Assembly to consider passing legislation that would prevent older politicians from running for key political positions, including the presidency, governorship, and other elective offices, ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This appeal was made on Wednesday by the party’s National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, and LP lawmaker Benedict Etanabene, who represents the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, during the 2024 Annual Meeting and National Youth Conference held in Abuja.

Also in attendance were LP National Chairman Julius Abure, National Secretary Umar Farouk, state youth leaders, national delegates, and several lawmakers.

In his address to journalists, Ahanotu urged lawmakers to set clear retirement limits for politicians, similar to those enforced in the civil service. He argued that anyone over the age of 70 should be barred from seeking elective office, as such individuals are considered retired in the public service sector.

Ahanotu emphasized that this restriction would free up important political positions for younger generations to take on leadership roles. He pointed out, “It is disappointing to note that even the President, who controls the national treasury, has no retirement age. We need our lawmakers to pass a bill that enforces a retirement age for politicians. Just look at France, where the president is only 40, or Senegal, where the current president is also 40. Why can’t Nigeria, a sovereign nation, also have younger leaders?”

He continued, questioning the paradox that young Nigerians are told they are the “future leaders,” yet face barriers to leadership roles in their 30s and 40s, while older individuals remain entrenched in positions of power. “At 30, we are not seen as capable of becoming commissioners. At 40, we can’t be elected as members of the House of Representatives. At 50, we are considered too young to be governors. Who has done this to us?”

Additionally, Ahanotu urged President Bola Tinubu to send an executive bill to the National Assembly to legalize the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the electronic transmission of election results in future elections.

Lawmaker Benedict Etanabene echoed Ahanotu’s concerns, stressing that the aging political leadership has contributed to the country’s stagnating economy and diminishing productivity. He explained, “Those in their 70s are already at their peak of diminishing returns. Putting them in leadership roles only exacerbates the challenges we face in governance and economic growth.”

Etanabene noted that the inefficiency of many leaders is visible in their inability to physically inspect ongoing projects. He argued that these aging leaders lack the energy required to effectively govern and oversee national development.

“This is why we must stop electing or retaining retirees in leadership positions,” he said. “If we can implement this change, Nigeria’s struggling economy can recover. This is why the Labour Party’s candidates in 2023 stood out — they were youthful, dynamic, and full of energy. They had the capacity to drive progress.”

He concluded by pointing out that anyone over the age of 60 is increasingly out of touch with the demands of modern governance and should not hold positions that require energy, innovation, and dynamism.

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