The House of Representatives has passed, for second reading, a bill to bar people without university degrees from contesting the presidential position.<\/p>\n
To contest for federal and state legislature and governorship seats, a candidate will need a minimum of a university degree.<\/p>\n
The bill, sponsored by Oriyomi Onanuga, seeks to amend sections 66, 106, 131 and 171 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.<\/p>\n
The proposed bill, if passed, means that lawmakers, governors and presidents must have a minimum qualification of a Bachelor degree, a Higher National Diploma, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) and other degree equivalent certificates.<\/p>\n
Several politicians in Nigeria use secondary school or primary school certificates to run for office.<\/p>\n
Former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party at the last general election, Atiku Abubakar, presented a Diploma as his highest qualification. Mr Abubakar is believed to be interested in running for president in 2023.<\/p>\n
It is not only Mr Atiku that presented less than a university degree or equivalent. Omoyele Sowore, the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) also presented a Senior Secondary School Certificate, WAEC, as his highest qualification.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the House debated the general principle of the bill and passed it for second reading. The bill was subsequently transmitted to the Committee on Constitution Amendment.<\/p>\n
If passed, politicians without qualifications up to degree level will be ruled out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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