The Labour Party has called on the National Assembly to pass a bill that would bar ageing politicians from running for presidential, governorship, and other political positions in the 2027 elections.
This demand was made by the party’s National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, and LP lawmaker Benedict Etanabene, at the 2024 Annual Meeting and National Youth Conference in Abuja.
Ahanotu argued that a 70-year-old candidate has no business running for elective office, citing the Federal Government’s age restriction on civil servants. He emphasized that this would free up positions for younger generations to take up national responsibilities. “Any politician from 70 years and above should be stopped from contesting elections… We urge our lawmakers to pass a bill on retirement age for politicians,” he said.
Etanabene echoed this sentiment, stating that the nation’s economy and productivity have suffered due to ageing persons in leadership positions. “The way forward is for us to design an age of retirement for these people… People who are approaching or in their 70s are already at their age of diminishing returns,” he said.
Ahanotu pointed to France and Senegal, where young leaders have taken the helm, as examples of countries that have benefited from youthful leadership. “A young man has been at the helm of affairs in France right at the age of 40. In Senegal currently, we have a President who has just turned 40. Are these not sovereign countries like Nigeria?” he asked.
The Labour Party’s demand for age limits is not alone. Experts argue that setting a retirement age for politicians would promote inter-generational equity, prevent complacency, and ensure regular rotation of leadership. Others suggest that term limits or incentivizing youth participation could be viable alternatives.
As Nigeria looks to the 2027 elections, the debate on age limits for politicians is likely to continue.
