Jonathan cautions officials against abuse of immunity

By Lawrence Olaoye

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday cautioned certain highly placed government officials against utterances capable of threatening the survival of the country by abusing their constitutional immunity.

 The President gave the warning while receiving a delegation led by his Bayelsa home state governor, Rt. Hon. Henry Seriake-Dickson, consisting of frontline traditional rulers from the state who came to felicitate with him on his birthday.

Jonathan alleged that some elected officials who enjoy immunity as provided in the nation’s constitution are making dangerous remarks that are capable of upturning the country.

He said some of them abuse the privilege of constitutional immunity conferred on them by making remarks that are more or less treasonable.

Jonathan said “If there are people making statements threatening the survival of this country, especially some people who probably have constitutional immunity and are abusing that privilege, that is why most Nigerians are saying that immunity clause be removed because some people don’t merit it, since they abuse it.”

Commenting on the state of the nation, Jonathan pointed out that though the country is currently facing the challenge of insecurity, it won’t stop Nigeria from developing like the USA and Israel.

The Bayelsa governor in his comment said his state was solidly behind the President and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Contrary to insinuations that Dickson had fallen out with Jonathan over his second term ambition in the state, the governor said he still maintains a robust relationship with the first family.