The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has issued a summons to the Governors of Benue and Zamfara States—Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal, respectively—along with their state Houses of Assembly, to appear before it on Thursday, March 8.
According to a statement released on Friday by Chooks Oko, Head of Media for the committee, the summons follows a petition submitted by a civil rights group, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law.
The group is urging the National Assembly to invoke its constitutional powers to take over the legislative functions of the Benue and Zamfara State Assemblies.
The summons, which was personally signed by Committee Chairman Mike Etaba, indicated that both the executive and legislative arms of the two states have been formally notified and are already aware of the issues at stake.
Etaba emphasized the committee’s commitment to due process and constitutional governance, stating, “Ours is to ensure that the rule of law is upheld at all times.
The parties have a wonderful opportunity to state their cases clearly so that Nigerians can know what is going on. Anarchy would never be given any space in our polity.”
The move suggests mounting concern in the National Assembly regarding the proper functioning of state institutions and could mark a significant constitutional test if the House proceeds with any takeover of state legislative duties.
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