The House of Representatives has issued a one-week ultimatum to Governor Fr. Hyacinth Iormem 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 over the controversial suspension of lawmakers in both states.
This development follows the failure of the invited parties to attend a scheduled hearing on Thursday at the National Assembly, where the committee convened to investigate a petition from the Guardians of Democracy—a coalition of lawyers—concerning the alleged unlawful suspension of 13 legislators in Benue and 10 in Zamfara since February 2024.
The petition, sponsored by Deputy House Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese, was officially presented to the House on March 27. At Thursday’s hearing, suspended lawmakers were represented by Hon. Douglas Akya (Makurdi South) for Benue, and Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South) and the Minority Leader of the Zamfara Assembly for Zamfara.
Lead counsel for the petitioners, human rights lawyer Barr. Ihensekhien Samuel Junior, appeared before the committee with a 12-member legal team. He urged lawmakers to expedite the probe, emphasizing that the matter is not before any court and there is no restraining order preventing legislative intervention.
“In Zamfara, 11 lawmakers have been suspended for over 16 months, allegedly on executive orders. In Benue, 13 lawmakers are facing similar actions. These suspensions represent a deep constitutional crisis,” Ihensekhien told the committee, arguing that without a valid quorum, state assemblies cannot conduct legitimate business.
He further maintained that under such circumstances, the Constitution permits the National Assembly to intervene and assume legislative powers in the affected states.
Thursday’s session, presided over by committee Vice Chairman Hon. Nwogu Mathew, was adjourned to May 14 following changes in the committee’s leadership. He said the extension would allow for a comprehensive review of documents and ensure due process.
Despite formal summonses issued on May 2 to both governors and state assembly leaders, the Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday rejected the directive, asserting that state legislatures are not under the oversight of the National Assembly.
The House insists that the continued suspension of lawmakers has effectively crippled legislative functions in both states, prompting federal lawmakers to consider more assertive constitutional remedies if the summoned officials fail to appear next week.
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