The House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to remove the immunity of the vice president, governors, and their deputies, aiming to curb corruption, end impunity, and promote accountability in public office.
The proposed amendment was among 42 constitutional bills that passed the second reading on Wednesday, March 26, following 39 similar bills approved the previous day, bringing the total to 81.
If enacted, the bill would alter the 1999 Constitution to strip vice presidents and governors of the legal protection that shields them from prosecution while in office.
The legislation also seeks to qualify the president’s immunity, though specifics were not debated.
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Other key proposals that scaled second reading included a bill to separate the offices of the Attorney-General from that of the Minister or Commissioner for Justice.
Another bill aimed to grant automatic citizenship rights to foreign spouses of Nigerian women and set quotas for youth and women in political appointments.
Additionally, the House considered bills proposing the creation of new states, including Ijebu, Ife-Ijesa, Tiga, Orlu, and Etiti.
All 42 bills were passed without debate and will proceed to the next stage of the legislative process.