The Labour Party (LP) has called on the National Assembly to enact a law preventing politicians aged 70 and above from running for elective offices, including the presidency and governorship roles, in preparation for the 2027 elections.
The appeal was made during the 2024 Annual Meeting and National Youth Conference in Abuja by the LP National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, and the party’s lawmaker representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, Benedict Etanabene.
The event, attended by reinstated LP National Chairman Julius Abure, National Secretary Umar Farouk, state youth leaders, national delegates, and lawmakers, focused on empowering younger generations for leadership roles.
Speaking to journalists, Ahanotu stressed the need for an age cap for candidates, likening it to the retirement age for civil servants. He argued that individuals over 70 should retire from active politics to allow younger, more energetic candidates to take on national responsibilities.
He said, “Any politician from 70 years and above should be stopped from contesting elections in a similar way the Federal Government placed an age restriction on civil servants who are the most productive arm of the nation. This will free a lot of positions for the younger generations to take up important national responsibilities.
“It is sad to note that even the President who sits on our national treasury and commonwealth doesn’t have a retirement age. We urge our lawmakers to pass a bill on retirement age for politicians. 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?
“Why is it that our leaders gave birth to us and start lying that we are the future leaders of the nation? At 30, we are not worthy to become commissioners. At 40, we cannot be voted in as House of Reps members. At 50, we are seen as too young to become a governor. Who did us this thing?”
Benedict Etanabene echoed similar concerns, emphasizing the impact of aging leaders on Nigeria’s economy and productivity. He argued that leaders in their 70s lack the energy to effectively oversee and implement key projects.
He said, “The way forward is for us to design an age of retirement for these people. What it simply means is that people who are approaching or in their 70s are already at their age of diminishing returns. To now put such persons into leadership positions, there is no doubt that you will experience some form of diminishing returns in terms of the services they could render.
“We can also see the effect in some of the projects being executed across the country. How many of the people approving those projects move around for inspections? And the reason is obvious. They don’t have the energy to go there. This is why we don’t need to keep voting or retaining retirees in our leadership positions.
“If we can do this, Nigeria’s faltering economy will pick up. That is why out of the candidates being pushed forward for elective offices, the LP stood out. The candidates we put forward in 2023 were youthful, agile and younger than the rest. They also have the capacity and energy to drive. The truth is that if you are above 60 years today, you are already in the analogue category.”
