Why Stripping Immunity From The VP And Governors Is Raising Eyebrows

The Controversy Surrounding Nigeria's Proposed Immunity Bill

Listen, here's the deal: the House of Representatives has stirred up a pretty big debate with its plan to strip the Vice President, governors, and their deputies of immunity, while leaving the president untouched. Now, this has sparked a lot of questions and concerns from all kinds of stakeholders, who are scratching their heads over the logic behind this move. It's like saying, "Hey, we're all in this together except for you, VP." It doesn't sit right with a lot of people.

Why Are People So Concerned About This Bill?

Political scientists, civil rights activists, and politicians alike are weighing in on this issue, and they're making some pretty valid points. They argue that since the president and vice president are elected as a team, they should both have the same privileges. It's like a tag-team match where both wrestlers get the same rules—right? But this proposed legislation seems to be breaking that balance, and people aren't happy about it.

Take Dr. Aminu Hayatu, a senior lecturer in Political Science at Bayero University, Kano, and Shehu Sani, a human rights activist and former senator from Kaduna, for instance. Both have expressed serious concerns about this proposed change. They argue that if you're going to take away immunity, it should apply to both the president and vice president equally. Otherwise, it just feels unfair and inconsistent.

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What Does the Bill Actually Propose?

The bill, which passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, aims to amend Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution. It wants to take away immunity from the vice president, governors, and deputy governors. This bill was among 42 others considered during a plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Earlier, the House had already passed 39 constitutional amendment bills for second reading.

This bill, sponsored by Rep. Solomon Bob (Rivers PDP), is all about promoting transparency and preventing abuse of office. It seeks to amend Section 308 by limiting immunity to the president, but only when the vice president is acting as president under Section 145 of the constitution. In simpler terms, if the vice president is stepping in for the president, they might still get some protection. But outside of that, they're on their own.

Under the proposed amendment, immunity would be removed for actions taken in an unofficial capacity or for criminal conduct. So, if someone does something wrong outside of their official duties, they could face legal consequences just like anyone else.

Why Is Dr. Hayatu So Critical of This Bill?

Dr. Hayatu is not holding back when it comes to criticizing this bill. He's asking a pretty straightforward question: "Why are you singling out someone who's also part of the ticket?" It's a fair question. Both the president and vice president are elected together, so why treat them differently? He emphasizes that both positions should be treated equally, and the focus should really be on whether the executive branch should have immunity at all. It's not about picking and choosing who gets special treatment.

Shehu Sani's Take on the Matter

Shehu Sani isn't holding back either. He took to his verified 𝕏 account (formerly Twitter) to voice his concerns. He pointed out that while removing immunity for the vice president and governors could ensure that no one is above the law, it also opens the door for potential misuse. Imagine this: if someone doesn't like the vice president or a governor, they could use this lack of immunity to go after them for political reasons. That's a slippery slope.

Sani also argues that if the vice president shouldn't have immunity, then neither should the president. It's all about consistency, folks. He's urging Nigerians to pay attention to this issue before it's too late. He believes that everyone should show interest in this proposed amendment bill because it could have significant implications for the future of governance in Nigeria.

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