In a dramatic turn of events, the House of Representatives on Thursday reversed its earlier decision on a controversial bill seeking to strip the vice president, governors, and their deputies of constitutional immunity. The sudden reversal, which has sparked political intrigue, came after House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion during plenary, leading to a swift vote that effectively nullified the initial approval.
The decision marks a stunning policy shift, as the bill had only passed its second reading on Wednesday, raising questions about what transpired behind the scenes overnight. Analysts speculate that political pressure, both from within and outside the National Assembly, may have influenced the lawmakers to reconsider their stance.
In addition to reversing its decision on immunity, the House also withdrew its approval of a separate bill that sought to abolish the death penalty. The move has left many wondering whether the legislators are bowing to external forces or simply realigning with public sentiment.
The immunity clause remains one of the most debated provisions in Nigeria’s constitutional framework. Proponents of the bill argue that removing immunity would make political officeholders more accountable and deter corruption, while opponents insist it could be weaponized for political witch-hunts. With the House now backtracking, the fate of the bill remains uncertain.
As political observers dissect the implications of this reversal, one thing is clear: the battle over immunity is far from over.