By Diran Laolu
The Great Independence Hall Legislative Council has moved to establish the office of the Deputy Clerk following the consideration of a bill seeking to formally create the position.
The bill proposed by the speaker of the 15th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmatin Adedamola Gbadegesin was formally presented before the House for consideration during an emergency sitting held at the Indy Hall Junior Common Room on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
According to the report, it was proposed that the creation and responsibilities of the Deputy Clerk should be incorporated into the Standing Orders. Among the duties suggested for the office are minute-taking and legislative record-keeping, as well as providing administrative support to the Clerk.
Speaking, the Speaker noted that the proposal would require an amendment to the Constitution if the Deputy Clerk is to be recognised as one of the House’s Principal Officers.
According to the provision cited during the sitting, the Constitution currently recognises four Principal Officers. Consequently, the proposed inclusion of the Deputy Clerk would increase the number to five, making a constitutional amendment necessary.
He also stated that the proposed Deputy Clerk would assist the Clerk in the discharge of administrative responsibilities and could act in the Clerk’s capacity in situations where the Clerk is unavailable, subject to the applicable rules and management provisions.
Members were subsequently invited to deliberate on whether the proposed constitutional amendment should formally recognise the Deputy Clerk as a Principal Officer, thereby expanding the number of Principal Officers from four to five.
The proposal is expected to be considered further before being subjected to final reading at the House’s next sitting.
