Political economist, Prof Pat Utomi, has said that anyone above the age of 70 should not be allowed to contest for executive offices such as president or governor in Nigeria.
Utomi made the statement on Thursday while speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
According to him, Nigeria must stop treating the presidency and governorship positions as offices for individuals who require constant medical attention.
“I’m insisting that I will converse to the Nigerian people that nobody over the age of 70 should run for an executive position, whether it be governor or president,” he said.
While noting that older politicians could still serve in legislative roles, Utomi stressed that executive positions demand physical and mental energy.
“Yes, a few people can stay in the legislature till they are 75, possibly even close to 80. But the Nigerian people must not continue to tolerate the presidency being where you keep people who need medical attention,” he added.
He argued that allowing elderly candidates to occupy such offices places an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers, who, according to him, are denied the quality of governance they deserve.
