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Reps Revoke Bill Referrals to Eight Committees Over Delays
ABUJA, Nigeria — The House of Representatives on Tuesday revoked referrals of several bills from eight standing committees after the committees failed to act within the required time limit set by the chamber’s rules.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Francis Waive (APC–Delta) and seconded by Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP–Rivers). Lawmakers agreed that the affected committees had exceeded the 60-day period allowed to submit their reports without asking for an extension, in violation of House Standing Orders.
Under the House’s rules, any bill referred to a committee must be considered within 30 days. If no report is presented after 60 days, and no formal extension is granted, the committee is automatically discharged, and the bill is reassigned to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative work.
Waive, while leading the debate, said the move was necessary to prevent bills from stagnating at the committee stage. “The committees have not reported back to the House despite being referred to them for more than the required time,” he said. “This is against the provisions of our Standing Orders.”
Chinda, in support of the motion, said the House must enforce its own rules to ensure that legislative business moves efficiently. “We cannot allow bills to be trapped indefinitely in committees,” he added.
The committees affected by the decision include:
- Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, assigned the Niger Delta Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.154).
- Committee on Banking and Regulations, assigned the Factoring Assignment and Receivables Financing (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.516).
- Committee on Justice, assigned the Interpretation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.27).
- Committee on Information, National Orientation and Ethics, assigned the Nigerian Authors Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.28).
- Committee on Poverty Alleviation, assigned the Poverty Alleviation and Skill Acquisition Centre (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.75).
- Committee on Environment, assigned the National Park Service Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.575).
- Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Institutions, assigned the Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.2114).
- Committee on Health Institutions, assigned the Chartered Institute of Public Health Studies (Establishment) Bill (HB.161).
The motion noted that none of the eight committees had submitted reports on their respective bills, even though the 60-day period had lapsed. Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the House resolved to discharge the committees and recommit the pending bills to the Committee of the Whole for continued legislative action.
Parliamentary observers say the move reflects the House’s determination to speed up legislative work and prevent unnecessary delays. The Committee of the Whole allows all members to consider bills directly, bypassing smaller groups that may have been inactive.
Legislative analysts believe the decision could serve as a warning to other committees to handle their assignments promptly. “This shows that the House leadership is serious about enforcing its rules,” said one analyst familiar with parliamentary operations.
The discharged committees had not issued any public response as of press time.
The decision is expected to fast-track the processing of the affected bills, many of which touch on key areas such as education, environment, justice, and economic development. It also highlights ongoing efforts by the 10th House of Representatives to improve transparency and accountability in the lawmaking process.
Lawmakers said the move is not punitive but a procedural measure to keep the legislative calendar on track. With the bills now referred to the Committee of the Whole, they are expected to proceed to further readings and possible passage in the coming weeks.
Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has advised the House of Representatives member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Leke Abejide, to remain in his party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Gbajabiamila made the remark during a birthday celebration organised in honour of Abejide, according to reports.
He noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was pleased with the lawmaker’s activities within the ADC, adding that his presence was creating internal tensions in the opposition party.
The Chief of Staff also urged Abejide to disregard calls from APC members, including former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who had reportedly encouraged him to defect to the ruling party.
“Don’t come to APC. Stay in ADC and scatter them. We like what you’re doing. Don’t mind former governor Yahaya Bello, who said you should join APC. No, no, no, stay in ADC and win your election. Also, bring Bala Gombe, and we’ll support him. Good luck in court,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, fresh tension has emerged within the African Democratic Congress as factional leader Nafiu Bala accused former national chairman Ralph Nwosu of misrepresenting the purpose of a recent party event.
Bala, speaking in an interview on AIT on Monday, said he was invited to what he believed was a routine meeting to welcome new members but later discovered it was used to announce a new leadership structure led by David Mark.
He explained that he only realised the full agenda after proceedings had begun, adding that the event also featured Nwosu stepping down while unveiling new party executives.
According to him, the development has deepened existing internal disputes within the party, especially with the appointment of David Mark and others into key leadership positions during the gathering.
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District have reportedly endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun as their preferred candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to reports, the decision was taken on Monday during a large political gathering held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, which attracted party stakeholders and grassroots representatives from across the district.
A statement from the governor’s media office indicated that the meeting was widely attended by key APC figures, including members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, former and serving local government chairmen, councillors from all wards, as well as current and former lawmakers at both state and national levels. Women leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders were also present.
Party leaders at the event expressed confidence in Abiodun’s capacity to represent Ogun East effectively at the National Assembly, describing his leadership record as a key factor in their decision.
They also resolved to formally communicate the endorsement to the governor and begin mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
The Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, noted that the governor’s performance in office and his role in fostering unity within the party were central to the decision to support his senatorial ambition.
The Presidency has criticised former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, questioning his leadership ability and accusing him of failing to manage internal crises within the Labour Party (LP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to reports, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, made the remarks during an interview on African Independent Television (AIT) on Monday.
Dare argued that Obi did not found the Labour Party and does not have full control over its structure, adding that his handling of party disputes raises concerns about his leadership capacity.
He further alleged that Obi has shown a pattern of moving between political platforms rather than resolving internal challenges, insisting that he “cannot fix” his own party.
Dare said the Labour Party’s internal crisis had been visible for years and questioned Obi’s level of involvement in resolving it, suggesting that he instead left the party amid the turmoil.
He stated that such leadership qualities should be scrutinised given national responsibilities, adding, “You cannot fix your party.”
The presidential aide also addressed claims linking the Presidency to the crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), rejecting any involvement and insisting the party’s internal issues were not influenced by the federal government.
He maintained that the ADC situation is already before the courts and should be resolved through judicial processes rather than public agitation or political pressure.
Dare urged all parties involved to respect ongoing legal proceedings, stressing that court decisions would ultimately determine the outcome of the disputes.
He added that the government remains committed to respecting the judiciary and warned against attempts to influence public opinion while cases are still being decided.
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