The majority of the citizens
are not only alarmed but
are scandalized following
moves by members of the National
Assembly to pass a bill seeking to
confer immunity on the top NASS
leadership. The bill has reportedly
passed second reading in the House
of Representatives. It is being spon-
sored by Hon. Odebumi Olusegun
of the All Progressives Congress,
APC-Oyo State. He is pushing for
an Act to alter section 308 of the
1999 constitution to extend im-
munity to shield presiding officers
of the National Assembly from
being investigated or prosecuted in
court in the course of performing
their legislative functions to avoid
distractions, the sponsors of the bill
submitted.
The bill which seems to have
received the tacit support of most
members of the house, based on
the argument of another law maker,
Ado Doguwa who was reported to
have told the house not to shy away
from discussing the matter, insisting
that if immunity could cover the
president and governors from being
distracted while carrying out their
duties same should be extended to
presiding officers of the parliament.
Predictably, the sponsors of the
bill may not have it all their way.
The Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives, Femi Gbajabiamala
on Tuesday is said to have kicked
against the passage of the bill seek-
ing immunity for presiding officers
of the National Assembly, but that
it should be deferred to year 2023.
Yet, Rep Toby Okechukwu of the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
Enugu State was quoted saying that
the same bill was passed in 2015 but
was never signed. Would the cur-
rent bill about to be passed suffer
the same fate? Only time would tell.
We are however, in solidarity with
those opposing the bill from being
passed, especially coming from the
minority leader of the House, Rep
Ndudi Elumelu of the Peoples Dem-
ocratic Party, PDP Delta State. He
had advised his fellow law-makers
to direct their attention to the se-
curity situation in the country and
that of concern to Nigerian people
is security of lives and properties,
rather than pressing for immunity
in favour of their presiding officers.
Indeed, Hon. Elumelu has spoken
the minds of the average Nigerian.
We want to appeal to our leaders
to be more selfless in service rather
than indulge in passing laws that
are self-seeking and for personal ag-
grandizement. What should occupy
the minds of our leaders over and
above pecuniary considerations is
how to better the lives of the ordi-
nary citizens.
The Lenten season offers yet
another opportunity for those in
authority especially Christians to
reflect on their dealings and stew-
ardships, bearing in mind the social
teachings of the Church.
