Deputy Chief Whip Disappointed In Colleagues Over Move Against Bill Seeking Degree Certificate For President

The House Of Representatives Deputy Chief Whip, Adewunmi Onanuga, has expressed disappointment over his colleagues’ negative reception to her bill proposing changes to presidential educational qualifications.

Onanuga had proposed a bill seeking to raise the qualification for presidential aspirants to at least a “university degree or its equivalent.”

The proposed legislation is intended to also raise the minimum academic qualification for election as a governor, state and federal lawmakers.

However, some members of the House on Tuesday moved against the bill.

Speaking on Friday in an interview on Channels TV, Onanuga said she was determined to push for its passage after further consultations with colleagues.

She said, “I was disappointed, I was in shock. I consulted with a few people. Obviously, I didn’t consult enough.

“But the bottom line is seeing or hearing the way a lot of people put so much emphasis on the negativity they brought to the table.

“After the sitting, most of them came to me and said we have to do that which is where I was a bit of sad because you don’t have to play with the things that are needed to move us forward. So I was very happy so to speak.

“So I had to step it down, go and talk to them and find out what exactly the problem was. It hasn’t been thrown completely, so I will be representing it after of course further legislative consultation with my colleagues to get them to see why I am pushing this bill forward.”