BY LEVI JOHNSON
A Bill which prescribed a degree certificate as a minimum qualification for anyone aspiring to the Office of the President has scaled second reading.
The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the amendment of Sections 65 (2) (a), 131 (d), Section 106 (c) and Section 177 (d) therein, to provide for minimum qualification for election into the National and States Assembly, Office of the President and Governors, and other related matters, 2020” was sponsored by Senator Istifanus Gyang (Plateau North).
The Bill seeks to alter Section 131 (d) which deals with minimum requirements for anyone running for the Office of the President.
Section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that the person seeking the office of the President must have “been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
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The Bill said: “Section 131 (d) is now rephrased to read: ‘He has been educated up to at least HND level or’ it’s equivalent.”
The Bill also seeks to alter Section 65 (2) (a) of the Constitution which deals with the qualifications for intending members of the National Assembly.
The existing law which the Bill seeks to amend reads: “A person shall be qualified for election under subsection (1) of this section if he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.
However, the Bill said that Section 65 (2) (a) should now be rephrased to read “if he has been educated to at least a National Diploma level or its equivalent.”
For House of Assembly, the Bill seeks the alteration of section 106 (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the existing Section 106 (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), anyone aspiring to be a member of the House of Assembly must have “been educated up to at least the School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
However, the Bill proposed that Section 106 (c) be rephrased to read: “If he has been educated up to National Diploma level or its equivalent.”
The same provision applies to State Governors. The Bill seeks the alteration of Section 177 (d) of the Constitution.
Presently, Section 177 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that any person seeking the Office of Governor must have “been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
However, the Bill seeks that Section 177 (d) be rephrased to read: “If he has been educated up to at least Higher National Diploma Level or it’s equivalent.”
A Bill which seeks to legalise the six geopolitical zones in the country also scaled second reading.
The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to give recognition to the Six Geopolitical Zones and to further introduce a clear demarcation by creating the Federal and State legislative list as a substitute for the existing legislative lists and for other matters, 2020” was sponsored by Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West).
Other Bills seeking to alter the Constitution which scaled second reading and their sponsors include:
“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to specify the period within which the President or Governor of a State presents the Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly of House of Assembly and for other related matters, 2020” by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central)
“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the establishment of State Police and to ensure effective community policing in Nigeria and for matters connected thereto, 2020” by Senator Surajudeen Ajibola (Osun Central).
“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to amend Section 138(d) and Section 139 of the Electoral Act 2010 by deleting Section 138 (d) and adding a new Subsection (3) to Section 139, to reduce the unlawful exclusion of a political party Logo on a Ballot Paper) a Pre-election matter and for related matters, 2020” by Senator Istifanus Gyang (Plateau North).
“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to replace the name “Nigeria Police Force” with ”Nigerian Police” to reflect their core mandate of providing Civil Services and for related matters, 2020” by Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).
“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to amend Section 81 to make provisions for amount standing to the credit of Security Agencies in the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be on First Line Charge and for connected matters, 2020” by Senator Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East).
“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to preclude the establishment of separate Tribunals to hear and determine Pre-election matters and Election petitions
respectively, in the Presidential, National and State Houses of Assembly and Governorship elections and for related matters, 2020” by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central).
“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the establishment of State Police and other related matters, 2020” by Senator Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West).
