Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar may lose his bid to contest elections in 2023 as lawmakers in the House of Representatives move to raise candidates’ minimum educational qualification.
A bill seeking to deny anyone without a university degree or its equivalent from contesting the presidential election passed second reading today, February 8.
As contained in the bill, aspirants with educational qualifications lower than a university degree will not be able to contest for federal and state legislature and government seats.
The bill is sponsored by Oriyomi Onanuga and seeks to amend sections 66,106, 131, and 171 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
If passed into law, it will require that lawmakers, governors and presidents possess a minimum qualification of a Bachelors degree, a Higher National Diploma, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and other degree equivalents to vie for the positions.
Several Politicians in Nigeria, including President Muhammadu Buhari contest and win top political elections with secondary or primary school certificates.
The bill before the house is coming as many politicians with low academic qualifications have begun declaring their interest in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari.
Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had in the last general elections in 2015, presented only a Diploma certificate as his highest qualification.
The former presidential candidate is believed to be interested in re-contesting in 2023.
Controversial journalist, activist and candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore is also suspected to be in the list of those without the desired minimum qualification.
Sowore is alleged to have presented on a Senior Secondary School Certificate (WAEC) as his highest education qualification in the 2015 presidential election.
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.
Read also:
Buhari’s Certificate: “Just Stop !”, Shehu Sanni Tells Lai Muhammed
Certificate, “Please Pardon Buhari” Lai Muhammed
Atiku, Others May lose Election Bid as Lawmakers Begin Debate on Educational Qualification