13th April, 2011
A group of youths in Eti-Osa, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, Eti-Osa Youth Vanguard, has petitioned the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, alleging that the PDP House of Assembly candidate in the area, Mr. Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro is underage.
The group stated in the petition signed by its chairman, Sulaimon Adisa and Secretary, Lekan Domino, that Obanikoro who will be contesting the 26 April House of Assembly election in Lagos State is not qualified on account of his age.
According to the group, Obanikoro is yet to attain the mandatory 30-year age limit set for the Assembly poll by the constitution.
The group explained that its investigations revealed that Obanikoro was born on 30 June, 1981 and is two months short of the constitutionally prescribed age for the House of Assembly candidates.
It stated that sections 65, 106, 131 and 177 of the 1999 constitution clearly stipulated 30 years as the minimum age for House of Assembly aspirants.
The group called on the Lagos REC to look into the matter and disqualify Obanikoro.
However, when contacted, Obanikoro said since he will be 30 this year, he believes he is qualified to contest.