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Reps Push To Remove Immunity For Vice President, Governors, Deputies

Reps Push To Remove Immunity For Vice President, Governors, Deputies
  • PublishedMarch 26, 2025

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.

Sponsored by Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers), the bill aims to curb corruption, eliminate impunity, and enhance accountability in public office.

It seeks to amend Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, which currently protects the President, Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies from criminal and civil prosecution while in office.

The House also advanced another constitutional amendment bill that proposes a constitutional role for traditional rulers, recognising their advisory function in governance.

These bills are part of 42 constitutional amendment proposals covering devolution of power, strengthening institutions, state creation, citizenship, and local government reforms.

On Tuesday, lawmakers had passed 39 constitutional alteration bills for a second reading.

Among them was a bill aimed at strengthening local government autonomy and another seeking to remove local government as a constitutionally recognised tier of government funded by the Federal Government.

A bill for the creation of Etiti State from the five southeastern states also passed a second reading.

Sponsored by Amobi Ogah and four others, it had been introduced for first reading on July 11, 2025.

Another bill on the same subject, sponsored by Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, was also passed for second reading on Tuesday.