Ogun State lowers candidate age limit for 2024 elections

The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has announced a reduction in the age limit for candidates in the upcoming local government elections.

The minimum age has been adjusted from 30 to 25 years.

This change, confirmed by OGSIEC Chairman Babatunde Osibodu in a Friday statement from Abeokuta, follows a review of the laws governing local elections in the state.

The adjustment aligns with Sections 7(4) and 106 of the Nigerian Constitution, which stipulate that candidates must be at least 25 years old to qualify for local government elections.

As a result of this amendment, OGSIEC has extended the deadline for political parties to hold their primaries by one week, with the new deadline now set for September 16.

The collection of personal data forms by political parties has also been extended to September 20.

Political parties that have already conducted their primaries can begin collecting forms for their candidates from Tuesday, with submissions accepted between September 16 and September 20.

Additionally, a meeting with all political parties is scheduled for Monday at OGSIEC’s headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.

The local government elections, which include chairmanship and councilorship positions, are set to take place on November 16.