The Kogi State House of Assembly
A center of legislative excellence, representing the people’s voice and ensuring democratic governance through effective lawmaking and oversight.
The Kogi State House of Assembly serves as the legislative arm of the Kogi State Government. It is responsible for lawmaking, oversight, and representation of the citizens across the 21 local government areas of the state.
The Assembly consists of elected members representing each constituency, working collectively to promote governance, accountability, and development in Kogi State.
8th
Current Assembly
60+
Passed Bills
10
Years of Service
25
Assembly members
History of the Kogi State House of Assembly
The history of legislative governance in Kogi State began on Monday, February 17, 1992, with the inauguration of the First Assembly of the newly created state. The session was proclaimed by the first Executive Governor, Late Prince Abubakar Audu, following Kogi State’s creation in August 1991 under the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
The proclamation notice for the Assembly was read by the first Clerk, Mr. Timothy Ali, who was deputized by Olugbami J.O. At inception, 32 Honourable Members were inaugurated, and Alhaji Musa Abdullahi was elected as the first Speaker.
Due to the absence of accommodation facilities for staff and lawmakers, the Clerk and his team initially squatted in a primary school upon deployment to the state in 1991. Despite these early challenges, the First Assembly passed 20 bills and made 107 resolutions, including the 1992 Appropriation Bill, the Board of Internal Revenue Bill, the Appointment and Deposition of Chiefs Bill, and the Kogi State Polytechnic Bill.
The First Assembly’s tenure was cut short by military intervention in Nigeria’s political scene.
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS
The Second Assembly was inaugurated in June 1999, coinciding with the return of democratic governance and the election of Prince Abubakar Audu as the 2nd Executive Governor of the State.
Speakers during this period included:
Rt. Hon. Mohammed Angulu Umar (June 1999 – October 2000)
Rt. Hon. Abdulrahman Dangana (October 2000 – May 2002)
Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Simoyan (May 2002 – May 2003)
Clerks during this dispensation were Olugbami J.O. (1999–2002) and J.K. Obaro (2002–2003).
The Assembly passed significant bills such as the Kogi State University Amendment Bill, the Local Government Operation Bill, and the 1999 Appropriation Bill.
Despite political challenges and tensions with the Executive, the Second Assembly strengthened democratic accountability in the state.
The Third Assembly, inaugurated on June 2, 2003, operated under the administration of Governor Ibrahim Idris.
Speakers included:
Late Rt. Hon. Buba Jibril Umar (May 2003 – May 2005)
Late Rt. Hon. Saba Muhammed (May 2005 – October 2006)
Rt. Hon. Usman Suleiman (October 2006 – June 2007)
Clerk: Simon Momoh (2003–2016), with Rev. Mathew Ajinomoh and Tsaja Seidu as deputies.
Key achievements included:
Standardization of House Rules for better efficiency.
Passage of 19 bills and 55 resolutions, including the amendment establishing Kogi State University, Anyigba (formerly Prince Abubakar Audu University).
naugurated in June 2007, the Fourth Assembly was presided over entirely by Rt. Hon. Clarence Olafemi, who also briefly served as Acting Governor following the annulment of Governor Ibrahim Idris’s election.
Major motions and resolutions:
Urging the state government to address erosion problems in major towns.
Re-activation of Otite Radio Booster Station in Okehi LGA.
Advocacy for Kogi State’s recognition as educationally disadvantaged by JAMB.
Passage of a resolution for the removal of Chief Judge Justice Umar Eri for misconduct.
The Fourth Assembly also oversaw notable infrastructural improvements and enhanced legislative oversight through the provision of official vehicles for committee work.
The Fifth Assembly, inaugurated in June 2011, was led by:
Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Bello (July 2011 – November 2012)
Rt. Hon. Momohjimoh Lawal (November 2012 – July 2016)
Clerk: Tsaja Seidu (from 2016), with Andas Malik and Ade Ikupeleye as deputies.
Under the PDP-led administration of Governor Idris Wada, the Assembly passed 33 bills (including 5 private bills) and made 129 resolutions focused on governance, education, and public service.
The Sixth Assembly coincided with the first term of Governor Yahaya Bello under the APC.
Speakers included:
Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam (July 2016 – August 2017)
Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole (August 2017 – May 2019)
Clerks included Mathew Shaibu, Ibrahim Amoka, and Sule Ahmed Chogudo, with deputies Oluwakemi Christianah, David Apeh, Alfa Ndagi, and Aka Adebayo at different times.
Despite political crises, the Assembly achieved significant progress:
Passed over 50 bills, 40 of which were assented to.
Oversaw renovation of the Assembly Complex.
Strengthened legislative-executive cooperation under Speaker Kolawole.
Inaugurated on June 6, 2019, the Seventh Assembly re-elected Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole as Speaker under Governor Yahaya Bello’s second term.
Key highlights:
Impeachment of Deputy Governor Elder Simon Achuba for gross misconduct.
Establishment of the Kogi State House of Assembly Service Commission (October 16, 2018), granting administrative and financial autonomy to the Legislature.
Over 20 bills and 40 substantive motions passed.
Upgraded the Assembly Clinic and provided a staff bus for daily transportation.
Maintained consistent plenary sittings and robust committee oversight.