Mujeeb Akindoyin
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has ordered the immediate dissolution of all ad hoc committees of the House over their failure to complete assigned responsibilities and submit reports within the stipulated timeframe.
The directive, contained in a circular signed by the Clerk of the House, Sidi Ibrahim, took effect from Friday, August 28, 2026.
The development followed the expiration of deadlines earlier given to the temporary committees to conclude their assignments and submit their reports in accordance with the Standing Orders and established practices of the House.
The Clerk said only two of the affected committees had applied for and obtained extensions under Order Eighteen, Rule 5 of the House Standing Orders.
He, however, noted that the additional two-week extensions granted to the committees had also elapsed without the assignments being concluded.
The circular reminded lawmakers that ad hoc committees were created for specific and time-bound assignments and were not meant to continue indefinitely beyond the period approved for their operations.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Honourable Members are reminded that Ad Hoc Committees are temporary Committees of the House established for specific and time-bound mandates.
“They are not intended to subsist indefinitely beyond the purpose and period for which they were constituted,” the Clerk stated.
Ibrahim also cited Order Eighteen, Rule 11, Paragraph 5 of the Standing Orders, which provides for the timeframe within which committees are expected to complete their assignments and submit their reports.
According to him, the continued existence of the committees had become untenable after they exceeded the period authorised for their operations.
He consequently directed that all activities being conducted under the dissolved committees should stop immediately.
“Consequently, with effect from Friday 28th August 2026, all Ad Hoc Committees of the House stand dissolved; and activities being carried out in the name of such Committees shall cease forthwith,” he said.
The chairmen of the affected committees were also directed to submit all outstanding reports, working documents, records and other materials relating to their assignments to the Office of the Clerk for safekeeping.
Members of the dissolved committees were equally directed to comply strictly with the order.
The move signals a renewed effort by the leadership of the House to enforce its rules on the duration, mandate and reporting responsibilities of temporary committees.
Ad hoc committees are established by the House to handle specific issues or assignments requiring focused investigation or legislative attention. Unlike standing committees, their mandates are expected to end after the completion of their designated assignments or upon the expiration of the period approved by the House.
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