…Assembly asks Gov to withdraw letters to appointees, summon Head of Service
While the dust of the last row is yet to simmer down, another Executive-Legislative showdown is brewing in the state as the House of Assembly under the speakership of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa on Tuesday asked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to withdraw appointment letters given to appointees who are yet to be “cleared by the Assembly.”
It is public knowledge that Sanwo-Olu and Obasa are not having the best of times, a signpost many believed to be one of the reasons behind Obasa’s recent purported removal as speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, which the latter with the backing of the “powers that be,” reclaimed his position
At plenary, the lawmakers angrily reacted to what they described as “the growing practice of political appointees assuming office without the constitutionally required confirmation of the House.”
Obasa described the development as a direct challenge to legislative authority, warning that it “tests the powers of the House.” He held the Head of Service (HoS) responsible for issuing appointment letters without legislative clearance and announced that the official will be summoned to explain.
The Speaker further urged the Governor to withdraw all letters issued to appointees yet to be screened. This follows a motion titled “Need for Government Appointees to appear before the House for Confirmation.”
Citing Sections 126 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution, the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Setonji David, stressed that no public officer should assume office without legislative screening, warning that such actions undermine separation of powers and weaken accountability.
Hon. Desmond Elliot called the development “an insult to the House,” insisting that no appointee or institution should defy Lagos laws. Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh noted that some agencies operate without legal frameworks, which erodes due process in a state built on the rule of law.
Hon. Stephen Ogundipe reminded all aspiring public officers that confirmation is not a mere formality but a safeguard to ensure competence, integrity, and good character. Hon. Kehinde Joseph demanded sanctions for repeated constitutional breaches and urged that any funds spent by unconfirmed officers be refunded to government coffers.
Condemning the lack of respect for legislative authority, Hon Rasheed Shabi described the issuance of appointment letters without confirmation as a direct affront to the Constitution. Meanwhile, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to forward the Assembly’s resolution to the Governor for immediate action.