Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Ogun State House of Assembly has resolved to convert the impeachment and removal of former Deputy Speaker Dare Kadiri to a voluntary resignation, while also passing a bill establishing a legal framework for the safe termination of pregnancy in specified circumstances.
Both developments occurred during plenary at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The Assembly’s decision on Kadiri followed consideration of an appeal submitted by the former deputy speaker, who asked lawmakers to convert his previous impeachment and removal from office to resignation.
At the same sitting, lawmakers passed the Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026, after the legislation completed its consideration and third reading.
Assembly Converts Kadiri’s Impeachment to Resignation
The 10th Ogun State House of Assembly approved the report of its Committee of the Whole House concerning Kadiri’s appeal.
According to the report presented by the Chief Whip, Hon. Omobola Bakare, the committee met on August 18, 2026, to consider the former deputy speaker’s request.
The committee said its consideration of the appeal was not intended to reopen the circumstances surrounding Kadiri’s impeachment, apportion blame, engage in political contestation or establish his innocence concerning the issues that led to his removal.
Instead, the report said the appeal was made by Kadiri as a former member of the House seeking to bring that chapter of his public service to a peaceful and dignified conclusion.
Bakare subsequently moved for the adoption of the committee’s report. The motion was seconded by Hon. Bisi Oyedele and supported by lawmakers through a voice vote.
The resolution effectively changes the official characterization of Kadiri’s removal from impeachment to resignation.
Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill Passed
In a separate legislative development, the Assembly passed the Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026.
The bill, identified as H.B. No. 036/OG/2026, is designed to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, promote safe motherhood and reproductive health rights, and establish conditions for the safe termination of pregnancy in accordance with legal indications.
The legislation was passed during plenary presided over by Speaker Oludaisi Elemide.
The process followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Health by its chairman, Hon. Wahab Haruna.
The report was adopted after a motion moved by Haruna and seconded by the Chief Whip, Omobola Bakare.
The bill was subsequently considered clause-by-clause by the Committee of the Whole House.
The motion for its third reading was later moved by Hon. Babatunde Tella and seconded by Hon. Lukman Adeleye. Lawmakers supported the motion through a voice vote, after which the Clerk and Head of Legislative Service, Sakiru Adebakin, read the bill for the third time.
Following its passage, Speaker Elemide directed that a clean copy of the bill be transmitted to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for assent.
What the Pregnancy Bill Seeks to Address
The legislation has been under consideration for several months, with the Assembly previously subjecting it to debate and stakeholder engagement.
During its second reading, the Assembly said the bill was intended to establish a clearer legal and medical framework for pregnancy termination in circumstances recognised by law.
The Assembly had also said the proposed legislation would be subjected to scrutiny to ensure that its provisions were consistent with the Nigerian Constitution and other applicable laws.
The House Committee on Health said the legislation was connected to concerns surrounding maternal morbidity and mortality and the need for safer medical intervention in legally recognised circumstances.
The bill also went through stakeholder consultations before reaching its final legislative stage. In July, stakeholders at a public hearing discussed issues surrounding maternal health, access to qualified healthcare professionals and the legal framework governing pregnancy termination in Ogun State.
In August, the Assembly said further consultations were being conducted with maternal health advocacy organisations, professional bodies and other stakeholders as lawmakers reviewed recommendations arising from the public hearing.
Other Bills Receive First Reading
Four other bills also scaled first reading during Thursday’s plenary.
They are the Gender Balance in Political and Public Offices Bill, 2026; the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies (GLOVES) Bill, 2026; the Victims’ Rights Bill, 2026; and the Ogun State Human Sacrifice Prevention and Prohibition Bill, 2026.
The bills were read for the first time before the lawmakers by the Clerk and Head of Legislative Service.
Unlike the Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill, which has completed the legislative stages reported by the Assembly on Thursday, the four bills remain at the early stage of the legislative process.
Why the Developments Matter
The two major decisions place separate issues of legislative record and reproductive healthcare on the Assembly’s agenda.
For Kadiri, the resolution provides a formal conclusion to his appeal concerning the manner in which his previous removal from the position of Deputy Speaker is recorded.
For reproductive healthcare, the passage of the safe termination bill represents a significant legislative development because the proposed law seeks to establish state-level conditions governing safe termination of pregnancy in legally recognised circumstances.
However, the bill’s passage by the Assembly does not by itself make it law. The legislation must still be considered for assent by Governor Dapo Abiodun before it can become an enacted state law.
The Assembly’s earlier legislative proceedings show that lawmakers sought to examine the bill through debate, committee review and stakeholder engagement before its final passage.
What Happens Next
The immediate next step for the Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill is transmission to Governor Dapo Abiodun for consideration and possible assent, following the directive issued by Speaker Elemide.
The four other bills that received first reading will proceed through subsequent stages of the legislative process if the Assembly continues to consider them.
For Kadiri, the Assembly’s adoption of the Committee of the Whole House report completes the legislative consideration of his appeal to convert his previous impeachment and removal to resignation.
The developments form part of the Ogun State House of Assembly’s ongoing legislative activities as the 10th Assembly considers new legislation and petitions concerning the state’s governance and public affairs.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA) — official legislative information on the Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill and its earlier stages.
- The Guardian Nigeria — report on the September 24, 2026 plenary and the passage of the bill and resolution concerning Dare Kadiri.
- Tribune Online — report on stakeholder engagement concerning the Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill.
- Peoples Mind — report on the July 2026 stakeholder hearing on the proposed legislation.
