According to him, removal of immunity clause from the constitution will reduce corruption and promote development in states.
“I think the National Assembly should scrap the immunity clause from the constitution in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
“It is encouraging corruption. I think we should be equal before the law in a democracy.
“When you allow a Nigerian or somebody to feel special and be above the law for eight years and after the eighth year, he or she moves to the National Assembly to further his political career, such a person will continue to escape punishment for his wrong actions.
“That aspect should be removed, we don’t need it. It does not encourage accountability as governors can steal public funds without facing the law at the end of the day,” Apapa said.
“I think every should be equal before the law,” he said.
Apapa,however,said immunity should be retained for the president to allow him concentrate on his job.
On state police, Apapa said that the prevailing insecurity in the country is enough reason for adoption of state police.
“I think we need it (state police) now. I have said this several times.
“About 20 years ago, as the Chairman of Labour Party in Oyo State, I led a team of some people to our House of Assembly , where I said we needed a state police.
“People express the fear that state governors will abuse it, but the truth is, as of today ,the federal police too is being abused by some people.
“All we need to do is to put some clauses around the operation of state police to check abuse,” he said.
“State police will cover every part of the state,” he said.
NAN reports that the 10th National Assembly has begun the process of amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
Senate President, Sen.Godwill Akpabio,while inaugurating members of the committee in Abuja, said the review of the constitution had become imperative “in order to put certain things right”
Also, the House of Representatives has inaugurated its constitutional review committee for the amendment of the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended.
The Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, while inaugurating the committee, said that the step marked another significant moment in the democratic journey towards a more ‘perfect union’.