Assessing the Political Implications of the Bill Seeking to Remove Immunity from the Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies
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The Bill seeking to remove immunity from the Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies recently passed the second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 26, 20251. On March 27, 2025, the House of Representatives had to rescind the Bill based on its sensitive nature to allow further deliberations on the Bill2. While the intent of this Bill may be to promote accountability and reduce impunity among high-ranking public officials, it raises significant political and legal concerns. One major issue is the selective nature of the proposal3, which retains immunity for the President while stripping it from other key executive officials. This asymmetry could create a pattern of partiality, weaken democratic governance, and expose state executives to political persecution. Drawing from cross-country experiences, particularly in nations that share Nigeria’s democratic framework, this brief is essential to critically assess the broader implications of this legislative move.