In a bid to address disparities in suspension, impeachment, and other legislative procedures, the 36 state Houses of Assemblies adopted and ratified harmonised standing orders.
The rules to be adopted by each of the 36 Houses of Assemblies aim to ensure consistency across the states in implementing disciplinary issues such as suspension and impeachment, removal of presiding officers and other members, budgetary processes, and confirmation of appointments forwarded by the executive branch of government.
The harmonised orders also cover the election of presiding officers, the adoption of legislative reports, statutory reports, and resolutions, the ratification of constitutional amendments and treaties, the formation of special ad hoc committees, and the holding of executive sessions in the assemblies.
The harmonised standing orders were agreed and ratified by the Conference of Speakers of Nigerian State Legislatures, which met in Lagos on Thursday for a workshop hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in partnership with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.
In his remarks, Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman of the Conference of Speakers, stated that by adopting the harmonised standing orders, Nigeria joined other countries such as the United States of America, South Africa, and Rwanda that had harmonised legislative frameworks.
Ogundoyin, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, stated that harmonised standing orders for states would ensure that state legislatures have standardised standards to guide their operations and ensure accountable administration.
Ogundoyin expressed optimism that the various Houses of Assembly would establish similar guidelines for usage in their respective states within the next three months.
“This monumental step forward, which began in 2021, is not just a procedural reform; it is a strategic step towards strengthening the efficiency, transparency, and uniformity of legislative operations across all state Houses of Assembly. By standardising our legislative rules, we are enhancing collaboration, improving legislative oversight, and ultimately ensuring a more responsive and accountable governance framework at the sub-national level.
“We are happy to draw inspiration from our partners, the German Government and the United States of America, whose 50 states operate a centralised standing order.
“On the African continent, South Africa and Rwanda stand tall in this regard, and Nigeria is set to join the list of countries with harmonised legislative frameworks, further solidifying our commitment to democratic governance and institutional strengthening,” Ogundoyin said.
“This monumental step forward, which began in 2021, is not just a procedural reform; it is a strategic step towards strengthening the efficiency, transparency, and uniformity of legislative operations across all state Houses of Assembly. By standardising our legislative rules, we are enhancing collaboration, improving legislative oversight, and ultimately ensuring a more responsive and accountable governance framework at the sub-national level.
“We are happy to draw inspiration from our partners, the German Government and the United States of America, whose 50 states operate a centralised standing order.
“On the African continent, South Africa and Rwanda stand tall in this regard, and Nigeria is set to join the list of countries with harmonised legislative frameworks, further solidifying our commitment to democratic governance and institutional strengthening,” Ogundoyin said.
Setting the tone for the event, Marija Peran, Resident Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Nigeria, stated that harmonising the assemblies’ rules aimed to create a standardised approach that fosters collaboration, reduces procedural discrepancies, and improves the overall effectiveness of legislative bodies.
Peran cited the imbroglio in the Lagos and Rivers State Houses of Assembly, stating that the harmonisation of standing orders will ensure legislative uniformity, transparency, and efficiency.
She stated that the harmonised standing orders put state Houses of Assembly on track to create a more integrated legislative environment.
“We are only two and a half months into 2025, and some states’ Houses of Assembly have already been shaken up massively. This shows us that we cannot take either stability or democratic processes for granted.
“As we further embark on this journey, it is essential to reflect on the significance of uniform standing orders within the states’ Houses of Assembly. These orders serve as the backbone of legislative procedures, ensuring consistency, transparency and efficiency in the legislative processes.
“The objectives of harmonising these orders are clear: to create a standardised approach that fosters collaboration, reduces procedural discrepancies and enhances the overall effectiveness of the legislative bodies,” she said.
Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, emphasised the importance of standardising standing orders to protect legislative autonomy and ensure procedural clarity.
“By doing so, we can build a resilient legislative system where state assemblies operate effectively, free from external disruptions,” Abubakar said.
He added: “We must reflect deeply on the lessons from Rivers, Lagos states and other similar incidents in the past. A harmonised framework for legislative rules across the states will help promote consistency in parliamentary practice, strengthen legislative independence, and create safeguards against undue executive and judicial interventions.”
