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 was 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 expressed support for 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.
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