A bill seeking to strip the Vice President, state Governors, and their Deputies of immunity from prosecution has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The proposed legislation is one of 42 constitutional amendment bills considered by lawmakers on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Proponents of the bill argue that removing immunity will enhance accountability, curb corruption, and put an end to impunity in public office.
This follows the approval of 39 other constitutional amendment bills on Tuesday, bringing the total number of bills that have scaled the second reading to 81.
Among the major constitutional reforms debated on Wednesday were:
– Removal of immunity for the Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies to allow them to be held accountable for any wrongdoing while in office.
– Separation of the roles of the Attorney-General from the Minister of Justice at both federal and state levels, to enhance independence in legal and judicial matters.
– Granting automatic citizenship rights to foreign spouses of Nigerian women, ensuring gender parity in nationality laws.
– Mandating a minimum quota for youth and women in public office appointments to promote inclusivity in governance.
– Creation of new states, including Ijebu, Ife-Ijesa, Tiga, Orlu, and Etiti.
Although these bills were not extensively debated during the session, they have advanced for further legislative scrutiny and possible passage.
Lawmakers championing the removal of immunity argue that elected officials should be held accountable while in office, rather than waiting until they leave power. They believe that lifting the legal shield will deter corruption and misconduct among top government officials.
