The Role of the Speaker in the House –
A Synopsis by Oludotun A. Omoyele

The House of Assembly is presided over by the Speaker who is the Chief Executive and political head of the State House of Assembly. He is assisted by other Principal Officers and the Clerk of the House. The Clerk of the House is the Chief Accounting Officer and administrative head in a State Legislature.

The Speaker is nominated and elected from among fellow honourable Members. Having sworn an Oath of Office, he presides over the activities of the House as spelt out in Section 95 (1) of the Constitution. He is responsible for interpreting the rules of the House and keeping orders and decorum in the Chamber and Gallery during debates. As the presiding officer, he ensures that the House rules are obeyed as spelt out in Rule 51 and interprets the Business, Rules and Standing Orders of the House.

The Speaker is elected by a simple majority vote. However, he can be removed by two-thirds majority vote as stipulated in Section (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Nigeria.