Yusuf Lasun

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yussuf Lasun, has explained why the immunity clause currently being enjoyed by elected officials in the country would not be removed by the ongoing Constitutional Review Committee.

The beneficiaries of the immunity clause include: Mr president, vice president, governors and their deputies.

Lasun who is the Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, disclosed this at the weekend while briefing journalists on the activities of the committee in Abeokuta, Ogun State, southwest Nigeria.

He said if the immunity clause is removed, it would open floodgate of litigation against the individuals which he said would affect their performance, adding that whatever offence committed by a beneficiary can be brought against him after the expiration of his tenure.

He explained that unlike the previous alterations that were contained in the same document, each alteration this time will be presented in different bills for presidential assent.

This according to him has taken care of the presidential veto against the entire effort.

He said some of the areas they are trying to alter include separating the office of the Attorney General from Minister of Justice.

He also said the committee would make the office of the Accountant General of the Federation a front line charge to make the office more efficient.

The deputy speaker also said financial autonomy for local government is being looked into.

He however added that funds will only be provided for local government areas run by elected officials.

Another area, according to him, is how to include in the new constitution how to deal with electoral situation where a governorship candidate dies as was the case in Kogi State.