Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
In a sweeping directive that brings an end to the work of every temporary panel constituted by the 10th Assembly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has ordered the immediate dissolution of all ad-hoc committees following the expiration of deadlines given to them to conclude their assignments and submit their reports. The dissolution, which took effect retroactively from Friday, August 28, 2026, effectively terminates all ongoing investigations, inquiries, and activities being carried out in the name of the temporary panels, including the high-profile committee probing the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The directive was communicated to lawmakers in a memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Sidi Ibrahim, titled "Dissolution of all Ad hoc Committees of the House of Representatives," and addressed to chairmen and members of the affected committees. According to the Clerk, the dissolution follows earlier announcements urging all ad-hoc committees to conclude their assignments and submit their reports in line with the Rules and established practice of the House. "I am directed by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, to inform all Honourable Members that all Ad Hoc Committees of the House stand dissolved with immediate effect," the memorandum read.
The decision was necessitated by the failure of most committees to meet their reporting deadlines. The Clerk explained that following the initial announcements, only two ad-hoc committees sought and were granted extensions of time under Order Eighteen, Rule 5 of the House Standing Orders. The two-week extension granted to those committees has since elapsed, and with no further extensions granted, the continued existence of the committees became untenable. "For the avoidance of doubt, Honourable Members are reminded that Ad Hoc Committees are temporary Committees of the House established for specific and time-bound mandates. They are not intended to subsist indefinitely beyond the purpose and period for which they were constituted," the Clerk stated.
The House further relied on Order Eighteen, Rule 11, Paragraph 5 of its Standing Orders, which provides for "Limitations as to time of Reports" and requires committees to submit their reports within the time allotted for their assignments. Having exceeded the time allotted, the continued existence of the ad-hoc committees was no longer justified under the Rules. "Consequently, with effect from Friday 28th August 2026, all Ad Hoc Committees of the House stand dissolved; and activities being carried out in the name of such Committees shall cease forthwith," the Clerk directed.
Among the affected panels is the high-profile ad-hoc committee chaired by Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, which was investigating the controversies surrounding the inclusion of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the Federal Budget Framework. The PFIPC probe had uncovered a staggering web of forgery, impersonation, and financial manipulation, including the tracing of approximately 58 bank accounts and 12 organisations linked to the self-styled Director-General of the purported agency. The dissolution of the committee brings an abrupt end to its ongoing investigation, even as it had recently presented preliminary findings that exposed the elaborate fraud scheme.
The Clerk directed chairmen of all dissolved committees to forward all outstanding reports, working documents, records, and other materials relating to their assignments to the Office of the Clerk for safekeeping. He also urged members of the dissolved committees to take note of the directive and ensure strict compliance. "Chairmen of the affected Committees are directed to forward all outstanding reports, working documents, records, and other materials relating to their assignments to the Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives for safekeeping," the memorandum read.
The development comes as the House seeks to enforce greater adherence to its rules on the duration and reporting obligations of temporary committees. Ad-hoc committees, by their very nature, are established for specific and time-bound mandates and are not designed to continue indefinitely beyond their mandates. The dissolution serves as a clear signal that the leadership of the House will not tolerate the indefinite continuation of temporary panels that have failed to deliver on their assignments within the stipulated timelines.
The directive effectively brings to a close the work of all temporary panels constituted by the 10th House for specific assignments, investigations, and inquiries within defined periods. While the dissolution may raise questions about the fate of ongoing investigations, the leadership of the House has made it clear that the decision was taken in strict compliance with the Standing Orders and established practice of the House. For the chairmen and members of the dissolved committees, the directive marks the end of their assignments, and they are now required to hand over all materials in their possession to the Office of the Clerk for safekeeping.
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