Condition for which I will support the removal of the immunity clause.

The wish of the people, the Nigerian people is for the immunity clause that protects the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies from prosecution to be strike out from the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Recently on this note, precisely on Friday last week, the Presidency kicked against the proposal by the House of Representatives to remove the immunity clause being enjoyed by the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies under the constitution.

Now before I make my opinion on this issue known, I will have to say that this is absolutely and actually the first time that I will be agreeing to whatever that is coming out of AsoRock – The Villa. The reality of this request is that the government will be messed up, governance will be in jeopardy and the system will be the most complicated ever in the history of democracy and the world. Yes I realize that the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Nentanyahu was once prosecuted even as a prime minister, meaning simply, that immunity clause is not enshrined in there constitution but one thing we have to understand is that our situation, our country and the people of Nigeria are a set of unique personalities. What works in other countries of the world becomes a theater filled with puppeteers if brought to Nigeria. Our system is different and that is simply why the removal of such a clause will mess up our system.

Blocking out this clause from our constitution is definitely not the way forward here. It does not help anybody let alone the nation. It does not provide for Nigerians, the needed development they want to see. That, is not the change that they are referring in this country. Let me ask you a question, what has happened to former presidents, vice-presidents, governors and their deputies who committed one crime or another while in office, while been protected by the disputed immunity? Has anyone of them been prosecuted since they left office? Or is the immunity clause still protecting them as past leaders?

Please, let’s not deceive ourselves by allowing sentiments, personal gains and individualistic agenda to cloud our judgment on this issue. I am not in any way supporting any of these immunity protected armed robbers posing as leaders, but am saying we have to do the things we want to do right and be civil about it.

Like I said, the only circumstance for which I will support the removal of the immunity clause is if another clause, an even more robust one, is added to the constitution – An unimpeachable law for raising frivolous, politically motivated allegations against an incumbent. Serious sanction including de-registration against political party should be part of the penalty.

This is my opinion!