The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has called on members of the National Assembly to consider passing a bill that would place an age limit on those eligible to run for political office, including the presidency, governorship, and other elective positions, ahead of the 2027 elections. The proposal, which seeks to ensure younger generations are given more opportunities to lead, was made by the National Youth Leader of the party, Kennedy Ahanotu, and LP lawmaker Benedict Etanabene during the 2024 Annual Meeting and National Youth Conference in Abuja.
In attendance were several key party figures, including the reinstated LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, National Secretary, Umar Farouk, as well as state youth leaders, national delegates, and some lawmakers. During the event, Ahanotu emphasized the importance of setting retirement age limits for elected officials in order to allow younger, more energetic individuals to take on national responsibilities.
Ahanotu addressed journalists in Abuja, urging legislators to pass a law that would establish clear age restrictions for all elective positions. “Any politician from 70 years and above should be stopped from contesting elections in a similar way the Federal Government placed an age restriction on civil servants who are the most productive arm of the nation,” he said. He argued that this move would help free up positions for younger Nigerians, who are ready and capable of contributing to the nation’s development.
The Labour Party Youth Leader further pointed out that it was illogical for individuals over the age of 70 to hold significant political office, especially when the civil service has already established retirement age limits for such individuals. “It is sad to note that even the President who sits on our national treasury and commonwealth doesn’t have a retirement age,” Ahanotu added. He cited examples from other countries like France and Senegal, where young leaders, including those under 40, are already in power, questioning why Nigeria’s political leadership should differ.
Ahanotu’s call echoed sentiments often expressed by the younger generations, who feel sidelined in their own country. “Why is it that our leaders gave birth to us and start lying that we are the future leaders of the nation? At 30, we are not worthy to become commissioners. At 40, we cannot be voted in as House of Reps members. At 50, we are seen as too young to become a governor,” he lamented. His comments reflect a broader frustration about the barriers faced by young Nigerians in pursuing political careers.
In addition to advocating for age restrictions, Ahanotu also called on President Bola Tinubu to send an executive bill to the National Assembly that would legalize the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of election results in future elections. This proposal aims to strengthen the electoral process and ensure greater transparency in Nigeria’s elections.
Benedict Etanabene, the LP lawmaker representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, shared similar views during his address at the conference. He expressed concern about the impact of elderly leadership on the country’s economy and overall productivity. “The way forward is for us to design an age of retirement for these people. What it simply means is that people who are approaching or in their 70s are already at their age of diminishing returns,” Etanabene explained.
He went on to highlight the consequences of keeping older leaders in power, particularly in terms of their ability to oversee and execute projects. “To now put such persons into leadership positions, there is no doubt that you will experience some form of diminishing returns in terms of the services they could render,” Etanabene remarked. He emphasized that the lack of energy among older officials often results in poor oversight and delays in vital government projects.
Etanabene also linked Nigeria’s economic struggles to the retention of elderly leaders in power. “We can also see the effect in some of the projects being executed across the country. How many of the people approving those projects move around for inspections? And the reason is obvious. They don’t have the energy to go there,” he said. He believes that removing ageing politicians from leadership positions could rejuvenate the economy and lead to better governance.
Finally, Etanabene praised the LP’s youthful candidates in the 2023 elections, noting that they were more agile, energetic, and capable of driving change compared to their older counterparts. “The LP stood out. The candidates we put forward in 2023 were youthful, agile and younger than the rest. They also have the capacity and energy to drive. The truth is that if you are above 60 years today, you are already in the analogue category,” he stated, underscoring the need for a new generation of leaders to take the helm.
