PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has begged Nigerian youths to shelve their political ambition until after the 2019 general election.
This is coming months after the president described the youths as illiterates, lazy and people who want freebies.
Mr Buhari made the plea on Thursday while signing into law the Not Too Young To Run’ bill passed by the National Assembly last year.
He signed the bill in the presence of selected invited youth from across the county at the Council Chamber of State House Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The president had on Tuesday assured Nigerians that the ‘Not too Young to Run Bill’ will be signed into law in a few days’ time.
“You can aspire for President but Please postpone your campaign till after 2019 election,” Mr Buhari, who is running for a second term pleaded with the youths.
The new law is aimed at relaxing some of the stringent and discriminatory provisions of the constitution.
The bill was passed by the National Assembly last year to alter Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the constitution. It was to reduce the age qualification for president from 40 to 30; governor from 35 to 30; senator from 35 to 30; House of Representatives membership from 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly membership from 30 to 25.
Lawmakers also approved independent candidature in the new law. It was part of a wider constitutional amendment process which the National Assembly carried out last year.
Since its passage in July 2017 by the National Assembly, about 25 states, representing more than two-thirds of the country’s 36 states, had adopted the bill as at March ending.
It was the outcome of relentless efforts by a coalition of more than 40 youth-based initiatives across the country.
