The Nigerian House of Representatives has reversed its decision on a bill seeking to strip the Vice President, governors, and deputy governors of immunity. The move, initiated by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, has sparked debates on governance and accountability, with mixed reactions from legal experts and the public.
The Nigerian House of Representatives has reversed its earlier decision to advance a bill seeking to remove immunity from the Vice President, governors, and their deputies. The U-turn came on Thursday after Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere moved a motion to reconsider the bill, just a day after it had passed the second reading.
The proposed legislation aimed to hold top government officials accountable for alleged misconduct while in office. However, the reversal suggests internal disagreements among lawmakers or external pressure influencing the decision. Alongside this, the House also rescinded its decision on another bill that sought to abolish the death penalty.
Critics argue that maintaining immunity allows impunity in governance, while supporters of the reversal claim stripping key officials of immunity could destabilize governance and lead to politically motivated lawsuits. The development has sparked mixed reactions, with legal experts, civil society groups, and political analysts weighing in on the potential implications.
