Gbenga Daniel says only president, vice president should have immunity, governors abuse it
On Wednesday, April 9, Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel, stated that only the President and Vice President should have immunity from prosecution, adding that state governors have misused the privilege.
Daniel, who is also a former governor of Ogun State, shared his views during an appearance on Channels TV’s Political Paradigm. He argued that the immunity currently granted to governors has been abused, despite its intended benefits.
On March 27, the House of Representatives decided to reconsider a bill that aimed to remove immunity from the Vice President, governors, and deputy governors. However, Daniel suggested that the immunity given to governors and their deputies needs to be clarified. He noted that while they could be protected from criminal prosecution, they should still be held accountable for their actions.
Daniel explained, “Immunity has its good sides, but to a large extent, I think some of our elected governors appear to have abused it, in terms of some of the things they do.”
He went on to say, “Some of them have virtually turned the state into their personal fiefdom and think the property of the state belongs to them. They act as though they can do whatever they want, without even recourse to the House of Assembly.”
Daniel emphasized that governors should not be exempt from being held accountable during their time in office, stating, “There is no reason why they should not be held accountable while in office.”
In his opinion, only the President and Vice President should enjoy full immunity, as it allows them to focus on their roles without being distracted by legal challenges. “I think that only the President and the Vice President should be allowed to have absolute immunity, so that they can concentrate, and so that no one will be embarrassing the symbol of the country,” he concluded.
