Benue, Zamfara Assemblies Shun Reps’ Summons

THE Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly have rejected the summons the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, describing it as unconstitutional and an overreach of federal legislative powers.
Recall that the committee had last Friday, May 2, summoned Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara states, and the two Assemblies’ Speakers and leadership to appear before it on Thursday, May 8, to explain why their constitutional functions should not be taken over by the House of Representatives.
But on Tuesday, May 6, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution instructing its Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, not to honour the invitation, arguing that the summons contravened the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Its Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, said: “Going by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Benue State House of Assembly is not answerable to the National Assembly.
“Section 101 empowers the House to regulate its own procedure without external interference.”
Bemdoo Ipusu suggested that the Assembly seek redress in court, accusing the group that submitted a petition against it of misleading the federal lawmakers, noting: “By implication, the National Assembly is attempting to usurp the functions of a vibrant and duly elected state legislature.” h
To formalise its rejection of the summons, the Assembly filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Makurdi Division, seeking an injunction to restrain the National Assembly from proceeding with any attempt to take over its functions.
The case, with Suit No. FHC/MKD/CS//45/2025, is scheduled for mention on May 14.
In it, the Assembly is asking the court to declare that it is autonomous and constitutionally empowered to carry out its legislative duties independently, contending that the National Assembly cannot take over its functions unless it is incapacitated, as outlined in Section 11(4) of the Constitution.
It argues that internal disciplinary actions do not justify such a takeover and that the summons and petition (No. 638 of 2025) constitute unconstitutional interference with a democratically elected legislature.
On its part, the Zamfara State House of Assembly dismissed the summons, declaring that the governor will not appear before the federal lawmakers.
Chairman of the Zamfara House Committee on Information, Kabiru Dangulbi, on Tuesday, may 6, told The Punch that the summon has no legal basis.
He stated:“The governor is a law-abiding citizen of this country and will never do anything contrary to constitutional provisions.
“The invitation by the House of Representatives is illegal and unconstitutional. Our governor will not waste his time on issues that lack legal standing.”
But unlike their Benue State counterparts, Dangulbi said Zamfara lawmakers would not take legal action, expressing confidence that “the honourable members will soon realise they made a mistake and will eventually drop the idea.”