House of Reps reverse course on bills stripping immunity from VP, Govs
In a surprising development, the House of Representatives on Thursday rescinded its earlier approval of a controversial amendment bill that sought to remove immunity from the vice president, governors, and deputy governors. The decision to reverse the passage also included a bill aimed at reviewing capital punishment provisions in the constitution.
This reversal follows substantial public backlash regarding the initial approval of the bills. In light of the feedback, lawmakers decided it was crucial to engage in further debate before advancing the legislation.
At a plenary session, House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere initiated a motion to rescind the earlier passage, enabling the bills to be relisted for detailed discussion. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who led the session, reiterated the importance of thorough debate on such sensitive issues prior to any final decisions.
The original bill, sponsored by Rep. Solomon Bob (Rivers PDP), aimed to amend Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to tackle misuse of power and foster greater transparency within the government. The legislation proposed limiting the immunity currently enjoyed by the President and entirely removing it from the Vice President, governors, and their deputies to combat corruption and promote accountability.
Additionally, a bill concerning the review of penalties for specific capital offenses was also rescinded for further consideration. This legislative approach underscores the House’s commitment to addressing these critical matters with the seriousness they warrant.
