Members of the House of Representatives have dropped a bill to make university degree minimum qualification for president, governors and other key offices.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Members of the House of Representatives have dropped a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to change the educational qualification for elections into certain political offices.
Rep. Adewunmi Onanuga, who is the brain behind the bill, said the proposed legislation aims at pegging minimum qualification for elections into the governorship, presidential, and other key elective offices in the country.
Leading the debate during plenary session on Tuesday, Onanuga, who represents Ikenne/Salami/Remo North Federal Constituency, Ogun State, argued that the 1999 Constitution should be amended to make it compulsory for elective office holders to have a university degree or its equivalent as against the current provision which allows a First School Leaving Certificate holder to vie for the highest office in the land.
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The bill enjoyed support from House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, Babajimi Benson, Kingsley Chinda and a host of other lawmakers.
However, Aliyu Madaki, a lawmaker from Kano State, and Ahmadu Jaha (APC, Borno) and some others kicked against it.
A disappointed Onanuga stepped down the bill, pledging to lobby more of her colleagues before bringing it back to the House.
“It appears some of our colleagues need further lobbying. I will move to step down the bill for now,” she said.
