Reps give Benue, Zamfara governors one week to justify suspension of lawmakers

The House of Representatives has given a one-week deadline to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, and the leadership of their respective State Houses of Assembly to appear before its Committee on Public Petitions over the suspension of several lawmakers.

This move follows the parties’ failure to honor an earlier summons to appear at a hearing held on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja.

The committee is currently investigating a petition submitted by Guardians of Democracy, a coalition of legal practitioners, which alleges the unlawful suspension of 13 lawmakers in Benue State and 10 in Zamfara State since February 2024. The petition was presented by Deputy House Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese on March 27.

At the committee’s inaugural hearing, Hon. Douglas Akya (Makurdi South) led the suspended Benue lawmakers, while Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South) and the Minority Leader of the Zamfara Assembly represented their affected colleagues.

Human rights lawyer Barr. Ihensekhien Samuel Junior, who led a 12-member legal team for the petitioners, urged the committee to act swiftly, emphasizing that the issue is not before any court and is therefore within the House’s purview.

“In Zamfara, 11 lawmakers have been suspended for over 16 months, allegedly under executive orders. In Benue, 13 lawmakers have also been suspended in questionable circumstances,” Ihensekhien stated.

He warned that the suspensions pose a constitutional crisis by undermining the ability of the assemblies to form a valid quorum for legislative business.

“The Constitution empowers the House of Representatives to intervene where a state assembly can no longer function effectively,” he added.

The session, presided over by the committee’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Nwogu Mathew, was adjourned to May 14 to allow a comprehensive review of documents and ensure a fair process.

Earlier, on May 2, the House had issued formal summonses to both governors and the leadership of their assemblies, demanding explanations for the prolonged suspensions, which have effectively stalled legislative activities in both states.

However, in a recent development, the Benue State House of Assembly rejected the summons, claiming that state legislatures are not subject to National Assembly oversight.