Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to withdraw all appointment letters issued to political office holders who have not been screened and confirmed by the legislature.
This directive was disclosed in a statement released on the verified social media page of the Assembly on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, following deliberations at plenary.
Obasa described the practice of issuing appointment letters without legislative clearance as a direct challenge to the powers of the House. He blamed the Head of Service for authorising such letters and announced that the officer would be summoned to explain the development.
The resolution followed a motion titled “Need for Government Appointees to appear before the House for Confirmation.”
According to the report, Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Setonji David, cited Sections 126 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution, emphasising that no public officer should assume office without proper screening, stressing that such actions weaken accountability and undermine separation of powers.
The statement also quoted Hon. Desmond Elliot as describing the situation as “an insult to the House,” while insisting that no appointee or agency should disregard Lagos laws.
Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh was reported to have raised concern that some agencies were still operating without legal frameworks, which he said erodes due process in a state anchored on the rule of law.
The report further noted that Hon. Stephen Ogundipe explained that confirmation was not a ceremonial step but a safeguard to ensure competence, integrity, and character.
Hon. Kehinde Joseph was said to have called for penalties against repeated constitutional violations, adding that funds spent by unconfirmed appointees should be refunded to the state treasury.
In the same vein, Hon. Rasheed Shabi reportedly condemned what he described as disregard for legislative authority, calling the issuance of appointment letters without clearance a direct affront to the Constitution.
The Assembly confirmed in its statement that the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to forward the resolution to the Governor for immediate action.
