By Charles Igwe
The House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to remove the constitutional immunity enjoyed by Nigeria’s Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies, as part of efforts to curb corruption, eliminate impunity, and enhance accountability in public office.
The proposal was among 42 constitutional amendment bills that scaled second readingin the Green Chamber on Wednesday, following the approval of 39 similar bills the previous day.
One of the key amendments seeks to modify the immunity clause in the 1999 Constitution, allowing the President limited protection while stripping the Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies of legal immunity.
Other major bills that progressed to the next legislative stage include:
A bill to separate the offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, as well as those of the Attorney-General of a state and the Commissioner for Justice.
A bill to grant citizenship rights to spouses of Nigerian women and establish a quota for youth and women in specific public offices.
Proposals for the creation of new states, including Ijebu, Ife-Ijesa, Tiga, Orlu, and Etiti.
The bills were passed without debate, bringing the total number of constitutional amendments that have cleared second reading in the House to 81.
