Reps give Benue, Zamfara governors ultimatum to appear over lawmakers’ suspension
The House of Representatives has issued a one-week ultimatum to Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, along with the leadership of their respective State Houses of Assembly, to appear before its Committee on Public Petitions.
The directive follows the controversial suspension of multiple lawmakers in both states and the governors’ failure to attend a scheduled hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday.
The Committee on Public Petitions is currently investigating a complaint filed by the Guardians of Democracy, a coalition of lawyers, over the alleged unlawful suspension of 13 lawmakers in Benue and 10 in Zamfara since February 2024.
The petition, sponsored by Deputy House Spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese, was formally presented on the House floor on March 27.
During the committee’s inaugural sitting on Thursday, Hon. Douglas Akya (Makurdi South) led the suspended lawmakers from Benue, while Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South) and the Minority Leader of the Zamfara Assembly represented their colleagues.
Human rights lawyer Barr. Ihensekhien Samuel Junior, who led a 12-member legal team for the petitioners, urged the committee to expedite its investigation. He clarified that the matter is not pending in any court, and in the absence of a restraining order, the House has the authority to proceed.
“In Zamfara, 11 lawmakers have been suspended for over 16 months, allegedly on the directives of the executive. In Benue, 13 lawmakers were similarly suspended under questionable circumstances,” Ihensekhien stated.
He argued that the suspensions have triggered a constitutional crisis, raising concerns about the ability of the remaining members to form a valid quorum for legislative business.
“Where a quorum cannot be met, the Constitution empowers the House of Representatives to intervene and assume legislative authority in the affected states,” he added.
Thursday’s hearing was chaired by the committee’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Nwogu Mathew, who announced that recent changes in the committee’s leadership necessitated an adjournment to May 14.
He explained that the extension would provide time for a comprehensive review of all relevant documents and ensure a transparent and fair process.
The House had previously issued formal summonses to both governors and their State Assemblies on May 2, demanding explanations for the suspensions, which have effectively paralyzed legislative activities in Benue and Zamfara.
However, the Benue State House of Assembly rejected the summons on Tuesday, asserting that state legislatures are not subject to oversight by the National Assembly.
