Reps advances 42 Constitutional Amendment Bills, seek immunity removal for Govs, VPs

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed 42 constitutional amendment bills through the second reading.

Among these was a proposal seeking to revoke the immunity granted to the vice president, governors, and their deputies, aiming to curb corruption, end impunity, and promote accountability in governance.

This development followed the approval of 39 similar amendment bills in the green chamber on Tuesday.

Key amendments considered on Wednesday included:

A bill seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution to remove immunity from the vice president, governors, and their deputies while limiting the immunity granted to the president.

A bill to separate the roles of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Attorney-General of the states from the Minister of Justice and State Commissioners for Justice.

A bill proposing citizenship rights for foreign spouses of Nigerian women, along with a provision to ensure a minimum representation of youths and women in government appointments.

Additionally, proposals for the creation of new states, including Ijebu, Ife-Ijesa, Tiga, Orlu, and Etiti, were also presented.

The bills were not subjected to debate but have now increased the total number of constitutional amendments that have passed the second reading to 81.