ABUJA — Fresh tensions flared in the House of Representatives on Thursday as Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State failed to attend a summons by the House Committee on Public Petitions, which is investigating the ongoing crises in the respective state Houses of Assembly.
The absence of the governors led to dramatic moments during the session, with a suspended lawmaker from Zamfara expressing frustration and declaring a loss of confidence in the process. He lamented his 16-month suspension, accusing the House of bias.
A suspended member from Benue State urged the committee to proceed with deliberations despite the absence of the governors and legislative leadership, citing a commitment from the Green Chamber to address the issue.
The Committee had summoned both governors and the leadership of the respective legislative houses to explain why the House should not take over their functions. This came in response to a petition filed by the civil rights group, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, which urged the House to invoke Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to assume control if a state legislature fails to function.
The petition focuses on allegations that the governors of Benue and Zamfara orchestrated the suspension of lawmakers in their state assemblies, leaving both chambers unable to form a quorum and fulfill their legislative duties.
However, both the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly rejected the summons, calling it unconstitutional and an overreach of federal powers. The state assemblies argued they were not answerable to the National Assembly.
In Zamfara, ten lawmakers (four from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and six from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)) were suspended in February 2024 for allegedly holding an illegal plenary. Similarly, Benue’s House of Assembly suspended 13 members for opposing the removal of the state’s chief judge, Maurice Ikpambese, over allegations of misconduct and corruption.
During the hearing, legal representative Ihensekhien Samuel stressed that no state House of Assembly has the jurisdiction to suspend a member for more than 14 days, deeming such actions unconstitutional.
Frustration mounted as one suspended Zamfara lawmaker voiced his displeasure with the governors’ refusal to attend, claiming they had boasted that the process would lead to no outcome.
The committee’s work was delayed due to a procedural issue raised by Deputy Chairman Matthew Nwogu, who questioned whether the petition had been properly laid before the House. He noted that the petition lacked the official House stamp, and until this was confirmed, the committee could not proceed.
Although the petitioners maintained that all proper procedures had been followed, the committee adjourned the hearing to May 14 to address the procedural concerns. The panel emphasized that despite the absence of the summoned parties, it would continue its work, although it stressed the importance of adhering to due process, especially if Section 11 is invoked to assume control over the state assemblies.
