The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed for second reading a constitutional amendment bill seeking to remove the immunity granted to the Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies.
The sponsor of the bill, Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers), stated that the proposed amendment aims to curb corruption, eradicate impunity, and enhance accountability in public office.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Qualify the Immunity Conferred on the President, Remove the Immunity Conferred on the Vice President, Governors, and Their Deputies, in Order to Curb Corruption, Eradicate Impunity, and Enhance Accountability in Public Office and for Related Matters,” the bill seeks to amend Section 308 of the constitution, which currently shields the President, Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies from criminal and civil prosecution while in office.
The House also passed for second reading another constitutional amendment bill seeking to assign a constitutional role to traditional rulers.
The proposed amendment would provide official recognition of their advisory role in governance.
Both bills are part of 42 constitutional amendments focused on devolution of power, strengthening institutions, state creation, traditional rulers’ roles, citizenship, fundamental rights, and local government reforms currently under consideration by the House.
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