House Of Reps Retracts Passage Of Bills On Immunity Removal
The House of Representatives on Thursday rescinded its earlier decision on the second reading passage of a bill seeking to strip the Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors of their constitutional immunity.
The move came amid widespread backlash trailing the initial approval of the controversial amendment bill.
During plenary, the House also withdrew another bill aimed at reviewing capital punishment in the 1999 Constitution.
Lawmakers cited the need for further deliberation, stressing that the sensitive nature of both bills required more robust debate before they could be passed.
The Leader of the House, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, moved the motion to rescind the second reading passage of the bills and have them relisted for further consideration.
His motion was supported by the majority of the House members, who agreed that such critical amendments should not be rushed through the legislative process.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over Thursday’s plenary, emphasised that the decision to retract the passage was not to dismiss the bills but to ensure lawmakers thoroughly examine their implications on governance and accountability.
“Given the sensitive nature of these bills, it is only proper that we give room for more extensive debate,” he stated.
The bill seeking to remove the constitutional immunity of the Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors was sponsored by Rep Solomon Bob (Rivers PDP) and aimed to amend Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.
According to its long title, the proposed legislation seeks to “curb corruption, eradicate impunity, and enhance accountability in public office.”
Similarly, a bill aimed at reviewing penalties for capital offences to align with international best practices, sponsored by Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and six others, was also retracted.
The bill had passed through its second reading on Wednesday before the House backtracked on its passage.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
