The House of Representatives has given a one-week ultimatum to Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, along with the leadership of their respective State Houses of Assembly, to appear before its Committee on Public Petitions.
This directive concerns the controversial suspension of lawmakers in their states.
This warning follows their failure to attend a previous invitation for a hearing held on Thursday at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The committee is investigating a petition filed by a coalition of lawyers under the banner of Guardians of Democracy regarding the alleged unlawful suspension of 13 lawmakers in Benue and 10 in Zamfara since February 2024.
The petition, sponsored by House Deputy Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese, was officially presented to the House on March 27th.
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At the committee’s initial hearing on Thursday, the delegation of suspended Benue lawmakers was led by Hon. Douglas Akya (Makurdi South), while Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South) and the Minority Leader of the Zamfara Assembly represented their suspended colleagues.
Human rights lawyer Barr. Ihensekhien Samuel Junior, the lead counsel for the petitioners, accompanied by a 12-member legal team, urged the committee to expedite the hearing.
He clarified that the matter was not currently before any court and that even if it were, the House had the authority to proceed without a restraining order.
“In Zamfara, 11 lawmakers have been suspended for over 16 months, allegedly at the directive of the executive. In Benue, 13 lawmakers were also suspended under questionable circumstances,” he stated.
He argued that the suspensions raised a critical constitutional question about whether the remaining lawmakers could constitute a legitimate quorum for legislative business.
“Where a quorum cannot be formed, the House of Representatives, under its constitutional mandate, can intervene and take over legislative functions in such states,” he added.
Thursday’s session was presided over by the committee’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Nwogu Mathew, who explained that a recent reshuffling of the committee’s leadership had necessitated the adjournment of proceedings.
The hearing has been rescheduled for May 14th to allow the invited governors and state assembly leaders to appear.
Hon. Nwogu stated that this grace period would also enable the new committee leadership to review all relevant documents and prepare for a fair and transparent hearing.
It is important to note that the House had previously issued a formal summons to the governors and legislative leaders on May 2nd, 2025, seeking clarification on the suspensions that have effectively paralyzed legislative activity in both states.
However, the Benue State House of Assembly rejected this summons on Tuesday, asserting that the state legislature is not subject to oversight by federal lawmakers.
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