By Milcah Tanimu

The African Parliamentary Advocacy and Reform Group (APARG) has called on Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the House of Representatives, to refrain from increasing the number of standing committees in the green chamber from 109 to 145. The speaker is expected to announce the composition of the House standing committees soon.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Chibuzo Okereke, the director of APARG, expressed concern over reports suggesting that Speaker Abbas intends to raise the number of standing committees. According to Okereke, prioritizing quantity over quality when it comes to committees would lead to a significant decline in legislative effectiveness.

The statement read, “We have credible information suggesting that the 10th House of Representatives may have further increased the number of standing committees from the 9th House of Reps’ 109 to an alleged outrageous 145 standing committees.”

Okereke pointed out that over the years, especially since 1999 and the 4th National Assembly, the standing committees in the House of Representatives have been progressively fragmented, proliferated, and divided primarily due to political considerations and patronage, rather than focusing on legislative effectiveness and productivity.

The trend of increasing the quantity of standing committees without ensuring their quality has resulted in a serious decline in legislative assertiveness, effectiveness, productivity, and value for money in public service delivery. This has been evident in weak oversight design, low participation of members in numerous perceived low-grade committees, conflicts in the exercise of legislative oversight powers on executive agencies, committees’ incapacity, and inadequate infrastructure for committee meetings. Additionally, the perception of citizens on the significance of the governance role of the National Assembly to Nigerians has been continuously low.

The situation is exacerbated by the scarce resources of the National Assembly, which burdens most committees and almost entirely relies on the executive MDAs (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies) for operational survival in performing their constitutional functions.

Okereke presented an empirical analysis of the 109 standing committees of the 9th House of Representatives, revealing that several committees did not hold any meetings or conduct significant legislative activities throughout the lifespan of the 9th assembly. Some committees reportedly held meetings only about three times in the entire four years.

To address these concerns and promote effective management, efficiency, and measured productivity, Okereke urged Speaker Abbas to drastically reduce the existing 109 committees to approximately 60. This move, according to APARG, would help strengthen the House of Representatives and enhance its overall performance.