Lagos Assembly Demands Withdrawal of Letters to Unscreened Appointees
The Lagos State House of Assembly has expressed strong disapproval over the growing trend of political appointees assuming office without the constitutionally required confirmation of the legislature.
During Tuesday’s plenary, September 16, 2025, Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa described the practice as a direct challenge to the authority of the Assembly. He held the Head of Service responsible for issuing appointment letters to unconfirmed appointees and announced that the official would be summoned to provide explanations. The Speaker further directed that the Governor should withdraw all such letters until due process is followed.
The resolution followed a motion titled “Need for Government Appointees to Appear Before the House for Confirmation.” Leading the debate, Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Setonji David cited Sections 126 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that no public officer should assume office without legislative clearance. He warned that the practice undermines separation of powers and weakens accountability.
Other lawmakers echoed the concerns. Hon. Desmond Elliot called the development “an insult to the House,” while Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh highlighted that some agencies were operating without legal frameworks, a situation he said erodes due process in a state built on rule of law. Hon. Stephen Ogundipe reminded public officers that confirmation is not a mere formality but a safeguard of competence and integrity.
Hon. Kehinde Joseph urged that sanctions be imposed on repeated constitutional breaches and demanded that any funds spent by unconfirmed officers be refunded to government coffers. Hon. Rasheed Shabi condemned the actions as a direct affront to legislative authority.
The Speaker instructed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to immediately forward the Assembly’s resolution to the Governor for compliance.
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