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 – Ogundoyin
The usage of harmonized standing orders has been agreed upon and ratified by the 36 States Houses of Assembly to address inconsistencies in the procedures for suspending members, impeaching them, and other legislative proceedings.
When it comes to the implementation of disciplinary issues such as suspension and impeachment, the removal of presiding officers and other members, the conduct of budgetary processes, and the confirmation of appointments that have been forwarded by the executive branch of government, the rules that will be adopted at each of the 36 Houses of Assembly were designed with the intention of ensuring unity across the states.
On Thursday, during a workshop hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria met in Lagos to adopt and ratify the unified standing orders.
Adebo Ogundoyin, speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and chairman of the Conference of Speakers, observed that Nigeria was joining countries like the US, South Africa, and Rwanda that had harmonized legislative frameworks by adopting the unified standing orders.
Ogundoyin pointed out that state legislatures would have identical norms thanks to harmonized standing orders, which would give their acts more clarity and make accountable governance more likely.
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 states 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.”
Marija Peran, the Resident Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Nigeria, provided the opening remarks for the event. She stated that the purpose of harmonising the rules of the assemblies was to establish a standardised approach that encourages collaboration, reduces procedural discrepancies, and improves the overall effectiveness of the legislative bodies.
Peran said, “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.”
Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, director general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, pointed out that legislatures are susceptible to executive meddling. Clarity in procedures, consistency in legislative behavior, and the preservation of legislative authority would all be achieved through the standardization of Standing Orders.
He said, “By doing so, we can build a resilient legislative system where state assemblies operate effectively, free from external disruptions.
“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.”