Why Governors, Deputies Must No Longer Enjoy Immunity — Gbenga Daniel

Daud Olatunji 

A former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has called for the removal of constitutional immunity currently enjoyed by state governors and their deputies, saying it fosters impunity and shields them from accountability.

Daniel, who featured on Channels Television on Tuesday, said many governors had abused the privilege of immunity by turning their respective states into personal estates and acting above the law.

According to the senator, while the immunity clause may have merits, it has been largely misused by state executives who often ignore legislative checks and act without consequence.

“Some of them virtually have turned the state into their personal fiefdom, and they think the property of the state belongs to them, and they can do it whichever way they want, without even recourse to the House of Assembly,” Daniel lamented.

He insisted that while the President and the Vice President should retain full immunity as symbolic leaders of the country who need protection from harassment and distractions, the same should not be extended to state-level executives.

“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 stated.

Daniel further argued that governors and their deputies should not be shielded from civil and administrative scrutiny while in office, even if they are protected from criminal prosecution.

“There is no reason why they should not be held accountable while in office,” he declared.

His comments come amid growing national conversations on constitutional reforms and calls for more transparency and responsibility in governance at all levels.

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