Nigerian lawmakers have stepped down a proposed bill seeking to raise the educational qualifications for key political offices in the country.
Standing in the name of Adewunmi Onanuga, the proposed legislation aimed at pegging minimum qualification for elections into the governorship, presidential, and other key elective offices in the country.
The current constitution allows candidates with a mere First School Leaving Certificate to contest these positions.
During a debate at the House of Representatives plenary session on Tuesday, Onanuga argued that higher education was crucial for effective leadership.
The proposal gained initial support from key figures like House Leader Julius
However, strong opposition emerged from Aliyu Madaki (APC, Kano) and Ahmadu Jaha (APC, Borno), who argued that the bill disenfranchises qualified individuals who may not have formal university degrees but possess valuable experience and leadership qualities.
Onanuga, therefore, chose to temporarily withdraw the bill. “It appears some of our colleagues need further lobbying. I will move to step down the bill for now,” she said.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has received a new bill seeking the creation of three new states in the South-West.
Oluwole Oke, the lawmaker sponsoring the bill made this known on Tuesday.
Oke, who represents Obokun/Oriade federal constituency, would seek to persuade at least two-thirds of the legislators at the lower chamber to support the dissolution of the local government areas and the establishment of Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, and Ife-Ijesa as independent states.
According to him, Ijebu should be recognised as a state with Ijebu-Ode as its capital, proposing Remo North, Ikenne, Ijebu East, Ijebu North-East, Ijebu Ode, Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, and Sagamu as its local government areas.
The bill seeks the recognition of Oke-Ogun as a state, with Iseyin as its capital and Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South, Olorunsogo, Kajola, Irepo, Oorerelope, Saki-East, Saki-West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa will become local government areas.
For the proposed Ife-Ijesa state, Ife Central, Ife South, Ife North, Ife East, Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Boluwaduro, Oboku and Oriade will become the local government areas.
If successfully passed, Mr Oke’s bill will make the South-West currently comprising six states — Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo — the region with the highest number of states in Nigeria.
“I wish to forward the above-mentioned bill to your office for further necessary legislative action to enable me to move same in our great Green Chamber, sir,” Mr Oke stated in a letter addressed to the parliament’s clerk.
Comments