The House of Representatives has reversed its earlier decision to pass for second reading an amendment bill seeking to remove the immunity granted to the vice president, governors, and deputy governors.
The lawmakers also rescinded their decision on a separate bill aimed at reviewing capital punishment provisions in the constitution.
The move comes amid backlash over the passage of the bills without extensive debate.
Lawmakers opted to withdraw them to allow for further discussion before any final decision is made.
During Thursday’s plenary, House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere moved a motion to rescind the second reading passage of the bills and have them relisted for debate.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who presided over the session, emphasized the importance of a thorough deliberation on such critical legislative changes.
“The decision to rescind the passage of the bills was to enable lawmakers to thoroughly debate the bills before passage, given their sensitive nature,” Kalu said.
DAILY GAZETTE recall that the bill proposing the removal of immunity for certain public officeholders had originally passed its second reading on Wednesday.
Sponsored by Rep. Solomon Bob (Rivers PDP), the bill sought to amend Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to eliminate immunity for the vice president, governors, and deputy governors.
According to its sponsors, the amendment aims to prevent abuse of office and promote transparency in governance.
The bill’s official title states:
“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, the Governors and their deputies, in order to curb corruption, eradicate impunity and enhance accountability in public office and for Related Matters.”
Additionally, the House withdrew a separate bill that had passed second reading on Wednesday.
Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Kalu and six others, the bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to review penalties for certain capital offenses in alignment with international best practices.
