The Lagos State House of Assembly has raised serious concerns over the growing practice of political appointees assuming office without undergoing the constitutionally required confirmation process by the House.
Speaking on the issue, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, the Assembly’s Spokesperson and Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, stressed that confirmation is not a mere formality but a safeguard to ensure competence, integrity, and good character among public officers.
Presiding over deliberations, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, described the trend as a direct challenge to the authority of the legislature, warning that such practices “test the powers of the House.” He held the Head of Service responsible for issuing appointment letters without legislative clearance and announced that the official would be summoned to explain. The Speaker further urged the Governor to withdraw all appointment letters issued to appointees yet to be screened.
The resolution followed a motion titled “Need for Government Appointees to Appear Before the House for Confirmation.”
Supporting the motion, Hon. Setonji David, Deputy Chief Whip, cited Sections 126 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing that no public officer should assume office without legislative screening. He warned that bypassing the process undermines the separation of powers and weakens accountability.
Hon. Desmond Elliot described the development as “an insult to the House,” insisting that no appointee or institution should defy Lagos laws. Similarly, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh observed that some agencies operate without legal frameworks, eroding due process in a state built on the rule of law.
Hon. Kehinde Joseph called for sanctions against repeated constitutional breaches, adding that any funds expended by unconfirmed officers should be refunded to government coffers. Hon. Rasheed Shabi condemned the lack of respect for legislative authority, describing the issuance of appointment letters without confirmation as a direct affront to the Constitution.
At the end of the debate, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to forward the Assembly’s resolution to the Governor for immediate action.