A community leader in Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra state, Dr. Ramas Okoye-Asuzu has expressed worry over serial abuse of immunity clause by corrupt political office holders as enshrined in Nigerian constitution.
He regretted attitude of politicians hiding under protection of their immunity status to break laws.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday to mark his 68th birthday, Okoye-Asuzu called for revocation of the clause to checkmate excesses of the unscrupulous persons.
He said, “The immunity clause in our constitution has been serially abused by the high and mighty in the corridors of power.
“People especially the political class hide under the protection of their immunity status to break the law because their immunity makes them above the law.
“For such reasons the immunity of people especially the political class should be revoked to checkmate the excesses of these unscrupulous persons.”
The Igbo culture custodian also called for overhauling of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the general good of the voting population.
“The INEC chairman should be a de-tribalised and unbiased umpire who can conduct free and fair elections that will enthrone the right leaders for the country.
“Prof. Humphrey Nwosu’s Option A4 which is a classical, tried and trusted electoral process should be adopted from free and fair elections,” he canvassed.
Describing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as laudable project for national integration, Okoye-Asuzu stressed need for its reformation to meet with the concept ideals which has been compromised by successive corrupt officials at the helm of its affairs.
He also threw weight behind call for the separation of powers of the three arms of government namely the Executive, the Legislature and then Judiciary.
He said, “This constitutional provision should be respected and applied as in a true democracy. The powers of the three arms of government namely the Executive, the Legislature and then Judiciary should be separated.
“Each should be independent and act as checks and balances that ensures that no arm oversteps its limits.
“This arrangement forstals the extravagant resources lavished by the Executive arm on the Legislators and the Judiciary which compromises their conscience and makes them willing tools of the Executive arm ot government. This situation results in unchecked bad governance.”
On insecurity, the community leader lamented ill-equipped nature of the military to tackle growing insecurity across the country.
“The state of insecurity and the horrifying display of impunity by bands of bandits it becoming alarming and greatly disturbing. For one thing, our armed forces are ill-equipped to deal with this clear and present danger.
“Our armed forces should be trained in modern ways of combating insecurity. This is the 21st century and our armed forces should be reformed and equipped with the tolls to suit the changing times.
“Also, part of the reform will involve weeding of all the bad eggs in the Police Force that have made the country a living hell,” he added.
