Olusegun Ariyo
Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara and Hyacinth Alia of Benue have rejected the invitation extended to them by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, raising serious questions about its legality and constitutional merit.
The committee, in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Media, Chooks Oko, summoned the governors and their respective state assemblies over alleged constitutional violations and governance failures.
The lawmakers are seeking explanations over legislative crises and worsening security situations in both states.
In Benue, the controversy revolves around the suspension of 13 lawmakers believed to be opposed to Governor Alia.
The suspended members had criticised the governor’s decision to suspend the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese — a move that sparked a political uproar and accusations of executive overreach.
Zamfara, on the other hand, is grappling with a legislative standoff.
A faction of nine lawmakers, previously suspended, continues to claim legitimacy and has gone ahead to call on Governor Lawal to present the 2025 budget to them. This development has created a parallel legislative structure in the state.
Both states are also contending with deep-rooted security crises. Zamfara remains under siege by heavily armed bandits who engage in mass abductions, cattle rustling, and extortion, particularly in rural communities.
Benue continues to witness deadly clashes between farmers and armed herders, threatening lives and food production.
Top officials from both state governments have dismissed the summons, arguing that the National Assembly has no constitutional right to invite governors over state matters.
Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hyacinth Dajoh, downplayed the development, saying he had yet to receive any official invitation. “It’s all a social media issue. Maybe the letter may reach my office on Monday, but as of now, I cannot respond to it,” he said.
The Zamfara State PDP Publicity Secretary, Halliru Andi, condemned the House committee’s action, insisting that governors are accountable to their state assemblies and citizens, not the National Assembly. “No amount of intimidation from so-called politically twisted committees or courts can derail our leadership,” Andi said
Meanwhile, the factional lawmakers in Zamfara claimed they had uncovered plots to harm them. “We are aware of plans to attack us and our families. We have a recording of the planned attack and have alerted security agencies in case anything happens to us,” they revealed in a statement.
The opposition parties in Benue, including the PDP and the APC faction led by Austin Agada, have supported the National Assembly’s intervention. However, political observers say the issue may spark a prolonged legal and constitutional tussle between federal lawmakers and the two state governments.
As of press time, it remains unclear whether the hearing will proceed as scheduled or if the National Assembly will attempt to enforce its summons.
