Following their failure to conclude their assignments and submit their reports within stipulated time frame, the leadership of the House of Representatives has announced the dissolution of all its ad-hoc committees.
The development followed earlier directives by the House leadership as contained in a circular issued by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mr. Sidi Ibrahim, directing all chairmen and members of the ad-hoc committees to conclude their assignments and submit outstanding reports.
The circular by Ibrahim stated that the dissolution of the ad-hoc committee took effect from Friday, August 28, 2026, stressing that the decision followed earlier announcements directing the committees to conclude their assignments and submit their reports in line with the Rules and established practice of the House.
The circular further stated; “Following those announcements, only two Ad Hoc Committees sought and were granted extension of time in compliance with Order 18 Rule 5 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives. The two-week extension granted has since elapsed”.
The leadership of the House explained that ad hoc committees were temporary committees established for specific and time-bound mandates, thus not expected to continue indefinitely beyond the purpose and period for which they were constituted.
The circular specifically cited Order 18, Rule 11, Paragraph 5 of the Standing Orders, which provides for “Limitations as to time of Reports,” which require committees to submit their reports within the time allotted to them, stressing that; “Having exceeded the time allotted, the continued existence of the Ad Hoc committees is no longer tenable”.
Accordingly, the leadership of the House directed that all activities being carried out in the name of the affected ad-hoc committees should cease immediately and also directed the chairmen of the committees to forward all outstanding reports, working documents, records and other materials relating to their assignments to the Office of the Clerk for safekeeping.
The development is not the first time being witnessed as the House had taken similar action against committees for failing to submit reports on their assignments within the stipulated period.
Specifically, on October 9, 2025, the House warned defaulting standing committees to submit reports on pending bills within one week or risk being discharged of the assignments.
The House leadership was left with no option than to act on October 29, 2025 by discharging several of its standing committees from legislative responsibilities relating to bills following their inability to submit their reports within the prescribed timeframe.
The leadership of the House again reminded the committees with outstanding assignments to submit their reports on January 28, 2026, taking into consideration the delays in the consideration and reporting of legislative business.
With the latest development, it means that committees that had not completed their assignments or secured official extension, can no longer continue operating under their existing mandates.
