Abuja - The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously voted for direct funding from the Federal Account to local government councils.

A total of 293 voted for it, while 39 voted against it and seven abstained.

The House also voted for the removal of immunity for the president and state governors.

A total of 306 voted for the removal of immunity for the president and state governors, 17 voted against it, while 14 abstained.  

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vote was conducted manually after the much-awaited electronic platform failed to function.   

Consequently, Section 162 (6) of the constitution reads that each local government council shall maintain a special account to be called "Local Government Council Allocation Account’’ into which shall be paid directly such allocations to the local government council from the Federation Account and from the government of the state.

It would be recalled that voting was deferred on July 23 to July 24 to enable NIGCOMSAT to energise the electronic platform for transparent voting system.

Under the proposed legislation, local government councils without democratically-elected officials would not be entitled to any revenue allocation from the federation.

The House also towed the path of the Senate by approving life pension for presiding officers of both the National Assembly and House of Assemblies.

The House also voted for independent candidacy with 313 voting for, eight voting against and 12 abstaining.  

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, said all the clauses met the required two third majority for the amendment of the constitution.

He said that items not taken would be taken when the House resumes from its annual recess.  

Tambuwal commended members of the ad hoc committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution in particular and members in general for their patience.

 - NAN
Source: http://m.news24.com/nigeria/National/News/House-removes-immunity-for-president-governors-20130725

let see if the presidency agrees

Selfish set of people(House of reps and Co).Life pension after just 4years as leader of the house?Absurd.
In my view, removing immunity from the president and governor will only affect the latter. With or without immunity,the president still remains the C-in-C/GCFR.
I envisage for the scrapping of the lower house.

Shedysworld: let see if the presidency agrees

really.