Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Hyacinth Alia of Benue State Clash with House Committee Over Constitutional Concerns
"Constitutional Matter at Stake: Potential Refusal of Zamfara and Benue State Governments to Comply with Parliamentary Summons"
According to our source, the House Committee on Public Petitions has invited both governors and their respective state assemblies, questioning the lawfulness and relevance of their summons.
The controversy stems from an allegation of constitutional violations, which includes the suspension of lawmakers, escalating insecurity, and legislative dysfunction in these states. In response, the committee threatens to implement Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly the power to intervene in state assemblies facing a crisis.
The media aide to Governor Lawal voiced his concerns, stating that, "A governor's issues regarding his state are the National Assembly's business."
Questioning the committee's hasty return from recess, he wondered if they had prematurely concluded their holidays to confront the two governors of Zamfara and Benue.
"Governor Lawal hasn't even received the invitation, and he has no intention of wasting his time on this matter in Abuja," he said.
In Benue, authorities revealed that the legality of the National Assembly's authority over state matters was under examination by the Attorney General. The governor's camp is yet to receive the formal invitation.
A top government source mentioned that, "We need to verify if the National Assembly has the authority to interfere with state governments and state assemblies."
Legislative Squabbles Deepen
In Benue, 13 lawmakers were suspended for challenging the governor's decision to suspend the Chief Judge Maurice Ikpambese. In Zamfara, a nine-member faction claims legitimacy, continuing to sit under a parallel speaker, Bashar Aliyu Gummi.
The squabbling lawmakers have asked Governor Lawal to submit the 2025 budget for their review, while the state assembly disputes their authority.
Both the PDP in Benue and the APC faction loyal to SGF George Akume welcome the intervention of the House Committee. The PDP described the suspensions as "legislative hooliganism," while the APC characterized the situation as a "violation of democracy."
AGA Ihomun, of the Agada faction, proclaimed, "The House of Representatives has ended the anarchy in the state."
No Need for Takeover Assert Alia's Aides
However, Governor Alia's APC faction rejects the notion of a takeover. James Orgunga, spokesperson for the caretaker committee, insisted that the assembly is functioning.
"The takeover occurs when the assembly cannot perform its duties. That's not the situation here," he claimed.
Invitation Branded Political by PDP Spokesman
Halliru Andi, spokesman for the Zamfara PDP, considers the committee's summons politically biased and without legal standing.
"Governors are accountable to their state assemblies, not the National Assembly," he said, blaming the federal government for the ongoing security crisis.
Andi added, "How could a PDP government resolve banditry in just 2 years when the APC couldn't in 12?"
APC Justifies Reps' Intervention
APC spokesman Yusuf Idris defends the committee's actions, citing the deteriorating security conditions and legislative chaos in Zamfara as grounds for federal intervention.
"The current budget being implemented is invalid, as only 10 members were present during its presentation," he said.
In a statement signed by Aliyu Kagara on behalf of the parallel assembly, the lawmakers pledged to continue sitting despite any pressure or threats.
"No amount of intimidation, including manipulated courts, can deter us," the statement declared.
They alleged a plot to target them and their families by employing political thugs and claimed they had notified the security agencies of the imminent threat.
You may also enjoy
*** Leaders Eyed for Pope Francis' Succession*
N'Assembly Demands Supreme Court Dismissal of PDP Governors' Rivers State Emergency Suite
Today's Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines, Monday, 5th May, 2025
Tinubu Takes Steps to Settle GenCos' ₦4 Trillion Power Sector Debt
Breaking: EFCC Finds Compelling Evidence in NNPC Investigation
Sunday, 4th May, 2025 Nigerian Newspaper Front Pages Review
- The House Committee on Public Petitions has been questioning the lawfulness and relevance of the summons sent to Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, as well as their respective state assemblies.
- The controversy arises from allegations of constitutional violations, including the suspension of lawmakers, escalating insecurity, and legislative dysfunction in these states.
- In response, the committee threatens to implement Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, allowing for intervention in state assemblies during a crisis.
- The media aide to Governor Lawal expresses concerns, stating that "a governor's issues regarding his state are the National Assembly's business," and questions the committee's sudden return from recess.
- In Benue, the Attorney General is examining the legality of the National Assembly's authority over state matters, while Governor Alia's camp is yet to receive the formal invitation.
- The squabbling lawmakers in Zamfara and Benue have been engaging in disputes over budget reviews and the legitimacy of their assemblies.
- The PDP in Benue and the APC faction loyal to SGF George Akume have welcomed the intervention of the House Committee, while the PDP describes the suspensions as "legislative hooliganism," and the APC characterizes the situation as a "violation of democracy."
- The APC justifies the committee's intervention in Zamfara, citing the deteriorating security conditions and legislative chaos as grounds for federal intervention, while the Zamfara PDP considers the summons politically biased and without legal standing.
