2023: Atiku, Others Risk ‘Losing’ Presidential Bid As Reps Move To Raise Candidates’ Minimum Educational Qualification

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar may be forced to forfeit his 2023 presidential ambition as the House of Representatives moves to raise candidates’ minimum educational qualification.

Naija News reports that a bill seeking to forbid people without university degrees from contesting the presidential position, on Tuesday, passed second reading before the lower chamber of the national assembly.

As contained in the bill, citizens with educational qualifications lower than university decree will not be able to contest for federal and state legislature and governorship seats.

The bill, sponsored by Oriyomi Onanuga, seeks to amend sections 66, 106, 131 and 171 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Naija News understands that the bill if passed into law, will demand that lawmakers, governors and presidents possess a minimum qualification of a Bachelor degree, a Higher National Diploma, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) and other degree equivalent certificates.

It is no longer news that several politicians in Nigeria, including President Muhammadu Buhari, use secondary school or primary school certificates to run for office.

The bill before the house of reps is coming at the time top politicians are declaring their interest to succeed President Buhari in 2023.

Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had in the last general election presented only a Diploma certificate as his highest qualification.

The Adamawa State-born politician is believed to be interested in running for president in 2023.

Also on the list is an activist and candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the previous polls, Omoyele Sowore.

Naija News understands that Sowore in the last election also presented a Senior Secondary School Certificate, WAEC, as his highest qualification.

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.