Senate Approves Independent Candidature, Immunity For Lawmakers

The Senate has voted in favour of independent candidates to participate in elections without being members of political parties.

The change is part of the 1999 Constitution reforms by the legislature included in a report presented by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu on Tuesday.

Eighty-two senators voted in favour of the motion, while five rejected it.

The amendment also separates the office of the Minister and Commissioner of Justice from the Attorney General of the Federation and states.

The provision reads: “section 121 of the principal act is altered by substituting for subsection (3), a new subsection (3) – ‘(3) any amount standing to the credit of the- house of assembly of the state, and judiciary, in the consolidated revenue fund of the state shall be paid directly to the said bodies respectively; in the case of judiciary, such amount shall be paid directly the heads of the courts concerned.”

The upper legislative arm also approved Immunity of lawmakers, in respect of words spoken or written at plenary sessions.

The clause also makes it obligatory for the president to deliver a state of the nation speech before the joint session of the National Assembly.

The lawmakers also voted for amendment requiring the president to nominate ministers within 30 days and attack portfolios of the ministries before sending their nomination to the senate for confirmation.

As part of the amendments, the Senate voted in favor of the reduction of age for election, banning age restriction for elective positions in the country.

This means a 35year old Nigerian can now be president.

The senate commenced debate on the report on Tuesday, and voted on its provisions on Wednesday.