Utomi: Presidency, Governorship Should Be Off-Limits to Candidates Above 70
Story: written by Joseph January 2,2026
Political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has argued that Nigerians aged above 70 years should no longer seek election into executive offices such as president or governor.
Utomi made the assertion on Thursday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, while discussing leadership standards and eligibility for public office in Nigeria.
According to him, the country must rethink its tolerance for elderly candidates occupying demanding executive positions, stressing that such roles require physical strength, mental alertness, and constant engagement.
“I strongly believe that no one above the age of 70 should run for any executive office, whether as president or governor,” Utomi said.
He, however, noted that older individuals could still serve in legislative roles, suggesting that lawmakers could remain effective even into their mid-70s or late 70s.
Utomi criticised what he described as the practice of turning the presidency into a refuge for leaders who require frequent medical care, arguing that it places an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
He added that Nigerians deserve leaders who are fit and capable of delivering quality governance without excessive reliance on public funds for personal health needs.
