A proposed amendment to the Nigerian Constitution aimed at revoking the immunity enjoyed by the vice president and state governors has advanced to the next legislative stage. The bill successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, alongside 42 other constitutional amendment proposals. The legislation seeks to eliminate immunity privileges granted to the vice president, governors, and their deputies to strengthen accountability, curb corruption, and reduce impunity in public office. Key Constitutional Amendments Under Consideration This development follows the passage of 39 constitutional amendment bills in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Some of the significant proposals that scaled second reading include: With these new additions, the total number of constitutional amendment bills that have successfully passed second reading now stands at 81. What’s Next for the Bill? As the constitutional review process continues, these bills will proceed to the committee stage, where lawmakers will deliberate further, suggest modifications, and conduct public hearings before final approvals. If successfully passed, the immunity removal bill could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s governance structure by enhancing public accountability at the highest levels. For more details on constitutional amendments in Nigeria, visit the National Assembly of Nigeria. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s House of Assembly members. In a statement released on March 18, 2025, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, asserted that the President lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally remove elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule. NBA Rejects Suspension of Elected Officials President Tinubu, during a national address, justified his actions by citing increasing political instability and pipeline vandalism in the state. However, the NBA argued that these issues do not meet the constitutional requirements for dissolving an elected government. Referencing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the NBA outlined that while the President holds emergency powers, they do not extend to the suspension or removal of elected officials. The only constitutional procedure for removing a governor or deputy governor, the NBA emphasized, is through impeachment as stipulated in Section 188 of the Constitution. Similarly, the removal of lawmakers must follow electoral laws and due legal process. Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration Faces Legal Hurdles The NBA further highlighted that Tinubu’s emergency declaration requires approval from the National Assembly within two days (if in session) or ten days (if not in session). Until such approval is obtained, the suspension of Rivers State’s government officials remains legally void. Condemning the President’s decision as a “dangerous violation” of Nigeria’s democracy, the NBA warned that allowing the dissolution of an elected state government under emergency rule could establish a precedent for politically motivated takeovers in the future. NBA Urges National Assembly to Uphold Democracy The association called on the National Assembly to reject any attempt to ratify the unconstitutional suspension of Rivers State’s government. It also urged the judiciary, civil society organizations, and international observers to closely monitor the situation and ensure that democratic principles are upheld. Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the rule of law, the NBA emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy must be protected at all costs. The association insisted that all political disputes be resolved strictly through constitutional and legal mechanisms rather than executive orders. Nigerian Constitution READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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The National Executive Council (NEC) has recommended withdrawing the four tax reform bills submitted to Parliament by President Bola Tinubu. This decision was made during a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, and included governors from all 36 states. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, explained that the NEC called for the withdrawal to allow for broader consultations and to build consensus around the proposed reforms. The bills have sparked controversy, particularly with the Northern Governors Forum opposing them. These four bills were part of President Tinubu’s initiative to revamp Nigeria’s tax system. They aim to establish a central revenue service responsible for collecting all government revenues, including those currently managed by agencies like customs and the ports authority. Additionally, the bills propose allocating a larger share of VAT revenues to states, which has raised concerns among northern leaders who believe it could disadvantage their region. During the meeting, the NEC emphasized the importance of alignment among stakeholders regarding these reforms, acknowledging existing miscommunication. A spokesperson for President Tinubu previously stated that the proposed laws would not increase current tax rates but would instead streamline and enhance the existing tax framework. The reforms are designed to ensure a fairer distribution of tax responsibilities without adding to the burden on citizens, and they are not expected to lead to job losses. In fact, they aim to create new job opportunities by fostering a dynamic, growth-oriented economy. Currently, tax administration suffers from a lack of coordination among federal, state, and local authorities, which leads to confusion and inefficiency. The proposed laws aim to improve this situation by harmonizing revenue collection and management across all levels of government, without eliminating the functions of any existing agencies. READ ALSO: Wike: Unpainted taxis will not be permitted to pick up customers in Abuja. Regarding the controversial derivation-based VAT distribution model, the spokesperson stated that the new approach intends to create a fairer system. It considers the place of supply or consumption, ensuring that states in the Northern region that produce essential goods do not lose out due to VAT exemptions or consumption in other areas. The ongoing tax reform seeks to address the inequities in the current model for distributing VAT revenues. We Love To Have You Back. Pease kindly Provide Us With Your Email.
