- Goodluck Jonathan has urged African countries to lower age limits for political offices, recommending a 25–50 age range. He argued that younger leaders are more energetic, mentally sharp, and better suited to handle the demands of governance.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a reduction in the minimum age requirements for individuals seeking political office across Africa.
He made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during a memorial lecture and leadership conference organised by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation.
According to Jonathan, African nations should focus on leaders between the ages of 25 and 50, arguing that people within this range are more physically energetic, mentally alert, and capable of handling the intense demands of public office.
“I think we need to bring it lower. If we are looking for people who can run nations in Africa, we should look at the age within 25 and 50,” he stated, noting that younger leaders often have the stamina to cope with long working hours and high-pressure responsibilities.
The former president referenced Nigeria’s late former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, who assumed power at 38 and implemented major reforms within a short period, which Jonathan attributed to youthful energy and decisive leadership.
He also questioned current constitutional thresholds that require candidates to be at least 40 years old for positions such as senator, governor, and deputy governor, and even older for the presidency.
Reflecting on his own time in office, Jonathan noted the extreme demands of leadership, saying older officials often struggle to cope with the physical stress and may spend significant time dealing with health issues.
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