The House of Representatives has given Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, along with their respective State House of Assembly leaders, a one-week ultimatum to appear before its Committee on Public Petitions. The summons is related to the contentious suspension of lawmakers in their states.
This action follows their failure to attend an earlier hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday. The committee is investigating a petition filed by a coalition of lawyers known as Guardians of Democracy, which alleges the unlawful suspension of 13 lawmakers in Benue and 10 in Zamfara since February 2024. The petition, presented by Deputy House Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese, was submitted to the chamber on March 27.
At the committee’s first session, Hon. Douglas Akya (Makurdi South) represented the suspended Benue lawmakers, while Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South) and the Minority Leader of the Zamfara Assembly represented their colleagues.
Barr. Ihensekhien Samuel Junior, a human rights lawyer and lead counsel for the petitioners, called for a swift hearing. He clarified that the matter was not before any court and even if it were, the House could proceed unless a court order said otherwise. He highlighted that 11 lawmakers in Zamfara have been suspended for over 16 months, allegedly at the executive’s direction, while 13 lawmakers in Benue were suspended under questionable conditions.
Samuel argued that the suspensions raised a constitutional issue regarding the ability of the remaining lawmakers to form a valid quorum for legislative activities. He maintained that the House of Representatives could intervene in such situations to ensure legislative functions continue.
The hearing, chaired by the committee’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Nwogu Mathew, was rescheduled to May 14. He explained that recent changes in committee leadership required more time to review documents and ensure a fair hearing.
It is worth noting that the House had previously issued a formal summons on May 2, 2025, asking the governors and legislative leaders to explain the suspensions, which have effectively stalled legislative activities in both states. However, the Benue State House of Assembly has rejected the summons, arguing that it is not subject to federal legislative oversight.