The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Governors of Benue and Zamfara States—Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal—alongside their respective state Houses of Assembly, to appear before it on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
This move follows a petition filed by a civil rights group, the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, which raised alarm over the worsening security situation in the two states and urged the National Assembly to step in.
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According to a statement issued on Friday by the Head of Media for the House Committee on Public Petitions, Chooks Oko, the petition calls on the federal lawmakers to consider taking over the constitutional functions of the state Houses of Assembly in Benue and Zamfara. This would be per the provisions of Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which allows the National Assembly to take control of a state legislature in the event of a breakdown of law and order.
The statement quoted Committee Chairman, Mike Etaba, as saying the decision to summon the executive and legislative arms of both states is aimed at ensuring transparency and the protection of democratic institutions.
“This summons is sequel to a petition written by the civil rights organisation, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, urging the House to take over the functions of the two Houses of Assembly,” Etaba stated.
He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and providing all parties involved the opportunity to present their side of the story before any drastic legislative action is considered.
“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,” Etaba added.
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The invitation suggests that the House is deeply concerned with the state of affairs in Benue and Zamfara, where reports of violent attacks, killings, and kidnappings have intensified in recent months, leaving residents in fear and prompting calls for urgent federal intervention.
As the May 8 date approaches, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the two state governments defend their handling of security and whether the House will move to exercise constitutional powers in response.
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