APC chieftain says House lacks such powers
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and his Benue counterpart, Hyacinth Alia, have rejected the invitation extended to them by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, raising serious questions about its legality and constitutional merit.

Also, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sani Shinkafi, faulted the summons, arguing that the action lacks constitutional backing.

The House committee, in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Media, Chooks Oko, summoned the governors and their respective Houses of Assembly over alleged constitutional violations and governance failures.

The lawmakers seek explanations over legislative crises and worsening security situations in both states.

In Benue, the controversy revolves around the suspension of 13 lawmakers who were believed to be opposed to Governor Alia.

The suspended members had criticised the governor’s decision to suspend the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, a move that sparked a political uproar and accusations of executive overreach.

Zamfara, on the other hand, is grappling with a legislative standoff.

A faction of nine lawmakers, previously suspended, continues to claim legitimacy and has gone ahead to call on Governor Lawal to present the 2025 budget to them. This development created a parallel legislative structure in the state.

Both states are also contending with deep-rooted security crises. Zamfara remains under siege by heavily armed bandits, who engage in mass abductions, cattle rustling and extortion, particularly in rural communities.

Benue continues to witness deadly clashes between farmers and armed herders, threatening lives and food production.

Top officials from both state governments have dismissed the summons, arguing that the National Assembly has no constitutional right to invite governors over state matters.

Benue Assembly Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, downplayed the development, saying he had yet to receive any official invitation.

Zamfara PDP Publicity Secretary, Halliru Andi, condemned the House committee’s action, insisting that “governors are accountable to their state lawmakers and citizens, not the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the factional lawmakers in Zamfara claimed they had uncovered plots to harm them.

SHINKAFI, who also serves as the Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), strongly objected to the move, insisting that the National Assembly lacks the constitutional power to summon democratically elected governors or intervene in strictly state matters.

He emphasised that Nigeria operates under a federal system with three distinct tiers of government, whose functions and responsibilities are clearly outlined in the Constitution.

He said: “We appreciate the patriotic zeal of the House to address issues affecting Benue and Zamfara. This crucial intervention must comply with the nation’s Constitution.

“Certainly, the House committee has no constitutional power to summon democratically elected governors or state assembly leaders to a public hearing on strictly internal affairs of their states. It is against the spirit and letter of the nation’s grundnorm that guides the actions of all arms of government and citizens.”