The House of Representatives has withdrawn its earlier approval of a constitutional amendment bill seeking to strip the Vice President, state governors, and their deputies of immunity from prosecution while in office.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Qualify the Immunity Conferred on the President and Remove the Immunity Conferred on the Vice President, Governors and their Deputies,” was sponsored by Hon. Solomon Bob and initially passed during Wednesday’s session.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the proceedings, confirmed the House’s decision to rescind the vote and subject the bill to renewed scrutiny following concerns raised by stakeholders about its far-reaching legal and political implications.
The proposed amendment targets Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, which currently grants absolute immunity to the President, Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors, shielding them from both civil and criminal prosecution while in office.
If eventually passed into law, the amendment would significantly reduce executive immunity by qualifying the legal protection enjoyed by the President and completely removing it for other top officeholders, opening the door for litigation and prosecution during their tenure.
Proponents of the bill argue that limiting immunity is necessary to curb corruption and abuse of office, noting that the existing legal protection has often been used to shield public officials from accountability.
The bill is part of a broader constitutional review agenda, which includes over 40 other proposed amendments under consideration by the Green Chamber.
However, the move has sparked intense debate among lawmakers, some of whom raised concerns about the potential for political witch-hunts and distractions from governance if sitting officials become targets of legal proceedings.
Legal experts have also weighed in, with opinions divided over whether lifting immunity would strengthen democratic accountability or create instability in the executive arm of government.
The House’s decision to revisit the bill underscores the sensitivity of constitutional amendments affecting high-ranking political officeholders. While the broader goal of reinforcing transparency and accountability remains, lawmakers appear to be treading cautiously to balance reform with institutional stability.
The bill is expected to return to the committee level for further stakeholder engagement and public input before it is reconsidered for passage.
