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Reps Seeks To Retain Immunity For President Only

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On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed, through a second reading, a bill seeking to retain immunity for the Office of the President and remove immunity from the Vice President, the Governors and the Deputy Governors.
The bill was one of the 42 considered and passed through the second reading stage during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Benjamin Kalu, in Abuja.
Sponsored by Hon. Solomon Bob (Rivers PDP), the bill is seeking the amendment of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to guard against abuse of office and to ensure transparency in governance.
The long title of the proposed legislation read: “A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to qualify the immunity conferred on the President, remove the immunity conferred on the Vice President, the Governors and their deputies, in order to curb corruption, eradicate impunity and enhance accountability in public office and for related matters.”
Key amendments include changes to Section 308 of the Constitution, which currently grants immunity to the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors while in office.
The proposed bill will amend subsection 3 to ensure that immunity only applies to the President and the vice president when acting as President under Section 145 of the Constitution.
Additionally, a new subsection 4 will be introduced to make the immunity clause inapplicable if the office holder is acting in an unofficial capacity, engaging in actions beyond the powers of the office, or involved in criminal conduct.
“The bill seeks to foster transparency and strengthen the fight against corruption by making public officials more accountable for their actions, both in and out of office.”
“Section 308 of the principal Act is amended by:(a) substituting a new subsection (3) as follows: “(3) This section applies to a person holding the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Vice President only when acting as President, in line with Section 145 of this Constitution.
Creating sub section (4) thereto as follows:”(4) The foregoing provisions of this section shall be inapplicable where the person to whom this section applies is acting in an unofficial capacity or where the conduct of the person is beyond the powers of his office or the conduct is criminal in nature.
“This Bill may be cited as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Act 2024.
The bill is currently awaiting further debate and consideration by the National Assembly.

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Rhodes-Vivour Joins ADC, Says APC Jittery

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The former governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Mr Rhodes-Vivour formally joined the ADC at an event in Lagos on Saturday.

He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sealing a venue approved for the event.

“It is truly disappointing that the Lagos APC is abusing state institutions by sealing off the venue where the ADC was scheduled to hold a meeting tomorrow after obtaining the necessary approvals,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“This is not only an abuse of power, it is a clear attempt to stifle opposition voices in Lagos. We understand that the APC is jittery about the momentum the ADC and obidients are building across the state, but deploying state security agencies to frustrate lawful political activities is unacceptable and undemocratic.

“Lagos belongs to all of us, not a select few. And it is our constitutional right to assemble lawfully. Let it be clear that no amount of intimidation or harassment will stop us from engaging with the people of Lagos. Our movement is powered by the people, and no barricade or show of force can weaken their resolve for a better Lagos”, he added.

On August 30, suspected thugs disrupted the inauguration of an ADC transition committee in Kaduna, attacking participants and damaging property.

The hoodlums, armed with cutlasses, clubs, and stones, were said to have injured several people and destroyed vehicles.

 

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Benue Assembly Resolution: Alia Suspends SUBEB Boss, Others

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Governor Hyacinth Alia has suspended the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Grace Adagba, for one month following a resolution of the State House of Assembly.

This was announced in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula, on Wednesday in Makurdi.

The House of Assembly had passed a resolution to suspend the SUBEB boss for six months, enabling it to investigate her activities at the board.

Others suspended include the Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, and the Executive Secretary of the lottery commission, Mr Michael Uper, for a month each.

Gov. Alia, however, reiterated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the principles of separation of powers.

The governor commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional responsibilities and assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.

He urged all affected institutions to ensure seamless continuity of service delivery during the period of suspension of the officials.

The governor called on the people of the state to continue supporting the government’s efforts to build a state that works for all.

 

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LP Guber Candidate Wants Anambra Vigilante Scrapped Over Corps Member’s Assault 

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The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025, election in Anambra State, Mr George Moghalu, has called for the disbandment of the state security outfit known as Udo-Ga-Chi, following the alleged assault of a female corps member by the vigilante group.

Mr Moghalu spoke on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Udoka Estate, Awka, describing the incident as “an embarrassing scandal and the height of irresponsibility.”

“I was very saddened over what I saw in the video. It was indeed a scandalous embarrassment, not only to Anambra or the state government, but to every responsible citizen of this state,” he said.

He condemned the brutality meted out to the corps member, adding, “Whatever offences she may have committed, there are better civil ways to handle it. The right thing was to arrest her and hand her over to the police, rather than tear her dress and dehumanise her.”

Mr Moghalu insisted that Udo-Ga-Chi members must be properly trained and indoctrinated before being constituted as a security outfit.

“You can’t kill those you are meant to protect. You don’t take guns and hand them to irresponsible people to terrorise citizens,” he stressed.

Highlighting previous complaints against the outfit, he said, “We have heard cases of people they’ve killed, maimed, or extorted. This is a case too many. The Federal Government must urgently scrutinise and regulate this group, and make an official statement on the matter.”

Expressing concern about the whereabouts of the assaulted corps member, Mr Moghalu added, “Where is the victim? The government must produce her and allow her to speak publicly about her ordeal. She was serving her country and deserves protection from both state and federal authorities.”

He further alleged that Udo-Ga-Chi has been politicised to influence elections, particularly in favour of the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

“It is now evident that the outfit was created as a political tool, and their actions during the last Saturday election made that very clear,” Mr Moghalu said.

 

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