Reps reverse self on bill to remove immunity conferred on VP, govs, deputies

• Pass 60 years age limit bill for presidential, governorship candidates through second reading

The House of Representatives on Thursday rescinded its resolution on a bill seeking to strip vice president, governors and deputy governors of immunity.

The lawmakers passed the resolution in response to a motion sponsored by the Majority Leader, Honourable Julius Ihonvbere.

While speaking on the bill, Deputy Speaker, Honourable Benjamin Kalu, explained that the bill would be subjected to debate considering its sensitivity.

Also at plenary, the House passed through second reading a bill to review the requirements that qualify a person to be elected as president and vice president, as well as governor and deputy governor through second reading.

The private member bill, sponsored by the chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, proposed alteration of Section 131 and 171 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The proponent of the bill sought to alter the provision of Section 131(d) of the 1999 Constitution by altering the educational requirements that qualifies a person to be elected as President as follows: “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if (d) he has been educated up to at least University level and has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in his chosen field of study.”

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The bill also sought to amend the provision of Section 131 by inserting a new paragraph (e) as follows: (e) he is not more than 60 years at the time of vying for the office of President.

Honourable Ugochinyere also seeks to alter Section 177(d) of the 1999 Constitution by altering the educational requirements that qualifies a person to be elected as governor as follows: “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor if: (d) he has been educated up to at least University level and has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in his chosen field of study.”

He further sought to alter Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution by inserting a new paragraph (e) as follows: “if he is not more than 60 years at the time of vying for the office of Governor of a State.”