Not Too Young To Run

Not Too Young To Run is an act of parliament which sought to reduce the age limit for running for elective office in Nigeria

Not Too Young To Run
MottoPromote Increased Youth Participation in the Political Process
Formation2016
TypeYouth Political Advocacy
Location
  • Nigeria, Gambia
Key people
Samson Itodo, Tony Nwulu (co-founders, spokesperson)
Websitewww.nottooyoungtorun.org

.[1] The campaign started in support of bills and motions in Nigeria's National Assembly sponsored by the Tony Nwulu in the House of Representatives and AbdulAziz Nyako in the Senate. The campaign is now global, symbolized by the hashtag #NotTooYoungToRun.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][11][12][13]

History of Not Too Young To Run bill

The Age Reduction Bill popularly known as Not Too Young To Run bill is a constitutional amendment movement led by young Nigerians. The bill was conceived and pushed by several civil society groups including YIAGA Africa, beginning in May 2016. The group is headed by Samson Itodo, a human right activist and good governance campaigner who is the Executive Director of YIAGA Africa. The bill was sponsored in House of Representatives by Tony Nwulu and in the Senate by AbdulAziz Nyako. The bill seeks alteration in sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the Constitution of Nigeria, which is reduce the age of running for elective positions for House of Assembly and House of Representatives from 30 year old to 25 year old, Senate and Governorship from 35 year old to 30 year old and office of the president from 40 to 30 and independent candidature in Nigeria.[14]

Advocacies

On April 20, 2018, the promoters of the bill met with Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to advocate for the Presidency to assent to the bill. After approval, the movement sought the All Progressives Congress for reduction in the nomination form fee, as it was N55 million before it was reduced to N45 million. But the movement want the fee to be reduced to encourage involvement of youths in politics[15]. Earlier about six political party had pledged incentives for the Not-Too-Young-To-Run movement to encourage participation of young Nigerians in politics[16].

Passage of Not Too Young To Run bill at Nigeria Parliaments

The bill was first read at Nigeria's House of Representatives and was passed with votes of (86-10) in the Senate on July 26, 2017 and 261-23 in the House of Representatives on July 27, 2017.[17] The bill passed first and second reading in Nigeria's Parliament and was presented to Committee on Constitutional Review. For any constitutional amendments to become a law in Nigeria, the amendments needed to be presented to all the House of Assemblies of 36 states of the federation and not less than 24 states (two-third) are expected to vote Yes to the amendments. It was reported by 33 house of assemblies in Nigeria voted Yes, except Zamfara, Lagos and Kano. The bill was rejected by Taraba State Assembly initially, but, was reversed after the group made a press release inaugurating the Taraba House of Assembly into the Hall of Shame.[18][19] On February 16, 2018, the conveners gave the Nigeria Parliaments and their president 30days ultimatum to conclude the processes of passage and signing of the bill into law.[20]

Assent to Not Too Young To Run bill by Nigeria's President

In April, 2018, the Nigeria's Senate resolved to transmit the Not Too Young To Run bill to the President of Nigeria.[21] On May 21, 2018, 55 youth-led organizations gave President Buhari an 8-day ultimatum to assent to the bill.[22][23] On 29 May 2018, Nigeria's President Buhari announced in his 'democracy day' national address that he planned to sign the bill into law. He subsequently signed the bill on the 31st of May 2018.[24] On May 31, 2018, Muhammadu Buhari signed the Not Too Young To Run bill into law.[25][26][27][28]

Political controversy

There was a controversy that the Not Too Young To Run bill was removed from the constitutional review report during the Nigeria's constitutional review meeting.[29]

References
  1. United Nations. "Launching Global Campaign Promoting the Right of Young People To ." United Nations. United Nations. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  2. YIAGA. "#NotTooYoungToRun Bill". Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth & Advancement. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  3. Ismail, Ahmed (Jan 6, 2017). "'Not Too Young To Run' Bill Good For Nigerian Youths' Psyche - Ismail Ahmed". Channels Tv. Channels Tv. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  4. Nigeria Television Authority, NTA (Jun 30, 2016). "Not Too Young To Run Bill". NTA News. NTA News. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  5. Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement, YIAGA. "#NotTooYoungToRun Bill". www.yiaga.org. Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  6. The Nation, Online (January 5, 2017). "Support passage of `Not Too Young To Run' bill – Group". The Nation Online. The Nation Online. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  7. "About Not Too Young To Run". Not Too Young To Run. Not Too Young To Run. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  8. Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth. "Launching Global Campaign Promoting Right of Young People To Run for Public Office". www.un.org. Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  9. Channels, Television (Dec 19, 2016). "Channels Beam: Focus On 'Not Too Young To Run' Campaign Pt 1". Channels Television. Channels Television. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  10. United Nations, Web Tv. "Not Too Young To Run - Youth in Elected Office - Digital Media Zone, ECOSOC Youth Forum 2017". webtv.un.org. United Nations Web Tv. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  11. Bolashodun, Oluwatobi. "We are young but not too young to run - Nigerian youths rally for political inclusion". www.naij.com. Naija.com. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  12. Channels, Television (April 4, 2017). "LOCAL POLITICS BUSINESS HEALTH SPORTS TECH AFRICA WORLD MORE Yobe Youths Advocate Passage Of 'Not Too Young To Run' Bill". ChannelsTv. ChannelsTv. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  13. Sheriffdeen, Tijani (June 1, 2017). "Not Too Young To Run campaign hits Ilorin". The Nation Online. The Nation Online. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  14. YIAGA, Africa. "Not Too Young To Run". yiaga.org. YIAGA Africa. Archived from the original on 5 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  15. Press, Fellow (2018-09-07). "Not-Too-Young-To-Run Movement wants APC to reduce cost of forms - Fellow Press". Fellow Press. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  16. Press, Fellow (2018-08-08). "2019: Six political parties pledge incentives for young aspirants - Fellow Press". Fellow Press. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  17. Daily, Trust (July 26, 2017). "Senate pass 'Not Too Young to Run' Bill". Daily Trust. Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  18. Asadu, Chinedu (February 16, 2018). "24 states pass 'Not too young to run' bill". The Cable. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  19. QueenEsther, Iroanusi; Oluwole, Josiah (February 16, 2018). "Majority states pass 'Not Too Young To Run' bill". Premium Times. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  20. ATABO, ANGELA (February 17, 2018). "Group gives NASS, FG, state govts ultimatum on Not-Too-Young-to-Run bill". The Herald Nigeria. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  21. Iroanusi, QueenEsther (April 17, 2018). "Senate transmits 'Not Too Young To Run Bill', 11 others to Buhari for assent". Premium Times. Premium Times. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  22. Africa Independent Television, AIT (May 15, 2018). ""Not Too Young To Run" Group Gives Buhari 8 Days Ultimatum To Sign Bill". Africa Independent Television. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  23. Jimoh, Abbas (May 22, 2018). "2019: 55 groups give Buhari eight-day ultimatum to sign elections age limit". Media Trust Limited. Media Trust Limited. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  24. "Nigeria's president, 75, has reduced the minimum age for presidential aspirants to 35". Quartz. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  25. Tukur, Sani (May 31, 2018). "Buhari signs "Not Too Young To Run" bill". Premium Times. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  26. Adebayo, Bukola (May 31, 2018). "#NotTooYoungToRun: Nigeria lowers minimum age for election candidates". CNN. CNN. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  27. Ajibola, Akinola (May 31, 2018). "President Buhari Signs 'Not Too Young To Run' Bill". ChannelsTV. ChannelsTV. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  28. Thisday (June 1, 2018). "Buhari Signs 'Not Too Young to Run' Bill into Law, Charges Youths to Leave Their Mark". Thisday Newspapers. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  29. SURAJU, OLANREWAJU (July 23, 2017). "FACT CHECK: 'Not Too Young To Run' Bill Was Never Presented, Considered During Lagos Meeting". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2 June 2018.

Videos
  1. Full Video: Finally, President Muhammadu Buhari Signs Not Too Young To Run bill into Law
  2. Not Too Young Bill Campaigners Seek Passage of Law Within 30 Days
  3. President Buhari Signs Not Too Young To Run Bill into Law


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