The House Committee on Public Petitions provides a mechanism for citizens to bring their complaints against public institutions free from the financial burden and formality of a court system
HOW TO SUBMIT A PETITION
One of the fundamental principles of the constitution is the right it accords citizens to petition the parliament for redress of grievances. This right, which is the only way individuals can directly bring their complaints before the parliament was recognized in Magna Carta of 1215
ABOUT US
Every society provides a medium through which people can ventilate their grievances and obtain redress. The most common of such systems are the Courts. We equally have arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Acts
COMMITTEE JURISDICTION
The power or right of the Public Petitions Committee to exercise its authority over person(s), subject matter or territory is derived from the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
PETITIONS RECEIVED AND HEARD BY THE COMMITTEE
Most Frequent Questions and Answers
There are no costs for presentation or submission of a petition.
No, e-petitions are not allowed at the moment. The Committee only handles petitions sent to it in hard copies.
The procedures for determination of petitions by House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions are not formally laid out. The Committee may adopt any procedure that is most convenient and expeditious in the handling of a particular petition. However, the Committee is also guided by the basic principles of natural justice, which means that both parties would be afforded the opportunity to present their case.
The Committee conducts investigative hearings/sittings on Petitions at any of the committee rooms of the National Assembly. There are no specific days for the Committee hearings/sittings. Hearings are generally open to the public, except on sensitive and national security matters.
The Committee is generally mandated to investigate petitions from Nigerians on any issue or matter that falls within its jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of the Committee includes:
- OVERSIGHT OF THE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMISSION;
- CONSIDERING THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ALL PETITIONS REFERRED TO IT; AND
- ANNUAL BUDGET ESTIMATES
The Committee has no jurisdiction in matters such as private contractual issues between two private citizens. In such instances, the Committee is expected to dismiss the petition or make recommendations for its referral to an appropriate body with the approval of the House.
Committee Members
Rt. Hon. Michael Etaba Irom
Chairman
Hon. Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa
Deputy Chairman