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 the House Committee on Public Petitions. This directive follows their failure to attend a scheduled hearing on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Background of the Crisis
The ultimatum arises from a petition submitted by the civil society coalition, Guardians of Democracy, represented by human rights lawyer Barrister Ihensekhien Samuel Junior. The petition alleges the unlawful suspension of 13 lawmakers in Benue and 10 in Zamfara since February 2024, which has effectively crippled legislative functions in both states.
- In Zamfara, the crisis stems from factional disputes, with two lawmakers, Bilyaminu Moriki and Bashar Gummi, each claiming the Speaker position. The Assembly suspended several members from opposing factions, leading to parallel sittings and mutual suspensions.
- In Benue, 13 lawmakers were suspended for opposing the removal of the state’s Chief Judge, Maurice Ikpambese, accused of misconduct.
Constitutional and Legal Issues
The petitioners argue that no State House of Assembly has the jurisdiction to suspend a sitting member for more than 14 days, making the prolonged suspensions unconstitutional. They further contend that the suspensions have rendered it impossible for the Assemblies to form a quorum, thus incapacitating their lawmaking functions.
Under Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Assembly holds residual powers to intervene and assume legislative authority in states where the Houses of Assembly are incapacitated.
Responses and Developments
- Both governors and their assemblies have rejected the summons, describing the National Assembly’s invitation as unconstitutional and an overreach of federal legislative powers.
- The Benue State House of Assembly has gone further by filing a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Makurdi seeking an injunction to restrain the National Assembly from interfering with its functions.
- Zamfara’s House of Assembly also dismissed the summons, with the state’s assembly committee chairman asserting the governor will not honor the invitation.
- Despite these refusals, the House Committee on Public Petitions, led by Vice Chairman Hon. Nwogu Mathew, adjourned the hearing to May 14, 2025, to allow the governors and assembly leadership another opportunity to appear and to enable the committee to review relevant documents thoroughly.
- The committee assured all parties of a fair process and urged calm and decorum amid the emotionally charged dispute.
Implications
This standoff highlights a significant constitutional and political crisis in Benue and Zamfara, where executive-legislative conflicts have paralyzed state legislatures. The National Assembly’s potential invocation of Section 11 to take over legislative functions is unprecedented and underscores the gravity of the situation.
The upcoming May 14 hearing will be crucial in determining whether the federal legislature will proceed with intervention or if the states will resolve the impasse internally or through the courts.
In summary, the House of Representatives has given Benue and Zamfara governors and assembly leaders a final one-week deadline to comply with its summons over the suspension of lawmakers that has stalled legislative activities in both states. The crisis remains unresolved, with constitutional questions and political tensions intensifying ahead of the next hearing.