News: Much Ado About Immunity Clause

Last Thursday, the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review stirred the hornet’s nest when it proposed the removal of the immunity clause from the 1999 Constitution as amended. The immunity clause shields the President, Vice-President, the governors and their deputies from prosecution.


No sooner had the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, made this known on the floor of the House than the Presidency, the governors and senators vehemently opposed it on the grounds that not only will it distract members of the executive arms of government from carrying out their constitutional duties, the political enemies of those in power will use it to witch hunt them. And they vowed to make sure that the recommendation does not see the light of day.

No doubt the executive and members of the House of Representatives are set for a showdown. While it is true that such difference of opinion is the hallmark of the democratic system of government, the ferocious way those affected are going about it calls for concern. Why is the executive baying to the extent that it is ready to do anything to prevent that proposal from being actualized?

It is also intriguing that the governors who were, before now, divided over who heads the Nigerian Governors Forum, are currently united over this issue, and have resolved to fight it collectively. That shows the governors, no matter their individual differences, are ready to come together whenever their interests and well being are threatened.

Come think of it, why is the executive remonstrating against a proposal that will ensure the happiness of the greatest number of the population? The reasons it is giving for opposing the proposal are spurious and do not hold water, considering what the nation will gain if the immunity clause is inserted in the amendment.Those who are opposing the recommendation are afraid of the fact that not only will their propensity to steal public funds be curtailed, they will be prosecuted if caught.

Still, the expected gains of the immunity are too far- reaching and important to be swept under the carpet. There is no denying the fact that corruption is one of the major reasons why this country is not developed.

Not only will the clause reduce corruption, it will create a conducive atmosphere for good governance and ensure there is development.