NASS to stop non-degree holders from becoming President, others

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has recommended the repeal and re-enactment of a brand new Electoral Act that will raise the academic qualification of President of Nigeria, and bar non-degree holders from contesting.

The bill also seek to prohibit former Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) staff from engaging in partisan politics within five years of retirement or resignation.

Hon. Kpam Jimin Sokpo from Benue who is a member of the committee in the House said the House would also repeal and do a total overhaul of the piece of legislation.

Sokpo

He said: “We are trying to compare the INEC’s proposed provisions, those of the Senate and existing Act. So the different positions from different stakeholders are what we are considering.

“The Act needs to be repealed; that’s what we agreed on. What we are doing right now is to look at different positions (for a new law) and harmonise it; we are doing that with CSOs (Civil Society Organisations).”

At the Rules and Business Committees of the Senate records also revealed that higher qualification for presidential candidates, independent candidature, and disqualification of ex-INEC officials, featured prominently in the proposed new legislation.

A proposal to ban former INEC staff from participating in partisan politics for at least five years, submitted by Tasir Raji (Lagos-APC) is entitled, “A Bill For An Act To Amend the Electoral Act To Prohibit Electoral Officers from Engaging in Partisan Politics within Five Years of Retirement, Resignation and Official Relief of Duties.”

The bill creates a new subsection 2 in the Principal Act, to add to section 146.

In summary, the bill “seeks to amend the Electoral Act to prohibit electoral officers from engaging in partisan politics within five years of retirement, resignation and official relief of duties and other related matters

Onyejiocha

“Another bill, sponsored by Deputy Whip of the House, Nkeiruka Onyejiocha (APC-Abia), and also included in the proposed new law, seeks to raise the academic qualification for presidential candidates of political parties to degree or its equivalent.

“A proposal to allow others run for political offices independent of political parties is also being considered by the National Assembly.

It is expected that the two chambers of the National Assembly will lay their reports in September when the National Assembly resumes from the annual recess it embarked on.