Zamfara, Benue Governors Reject House of Reps Summons Over Legislative, Security Crises

Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Hyacinth Alia of Benue State have rejected invitations from the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, challenging the legal and constitutional basis of the summons.

The committee had summoned the two governors and their respective state assemblies over alleged constitutional violations, legislative crises, and deteriorating security conditions in their states. The invitation was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the committee’s Head of Media, Chooks Oko.

In Benue State, the controversy centers on the suspension of 13 lawmakers believed to be critical of Governor Alia.

The suspended legislators had opposed the governor’s move to suspend the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese — a decision that drew accusations of executive interference in the judiciary.

Zamfara is also witnessing a major legislative impasse. Nine lawmakers previously suspended from the state assembly continue to assert their legitimacy and recently invited Governor Lawal to present the 2025 budget before them, creating a parallel legislative authority within the state.

Both states are concurrently battling escalating security challenges. Zamfara remains a hotspot for armed banditry, mass abductions, and rural violence, while Benue continues to reel from deadly clashes between farmers and armed herders, threatening lives and agricultural output.

Officials from both state governments have dismissed the summons, arguing that the National Assembly lacks the constitutional jurisdiction to compel governors to appear over state-level matters.

Benue State House of Assembly Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, downplayed the issue, saying he had yet to receive any formal communication. “It’s all a social media issue.

Maybe the letter may reach my office on Monday, but as of now, I cannot respond to it,” he said.

Similarly, Zamfara PDP Publicity Secretary, Halliru Andi, described the move as overreach, stressing that governors are accountable to their state assemblies and people, not the National Assembly.

“No amount of intimidation from so-called politically twisted committees or courts can derail our leadership,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the factional lawmakers in Zamfara claimed they were being targeted for violence, alleging that plans to attack them and their families have been uncovered. “We have a recording of the planned attack and have alerted security agencies in case anything happens to us,” they said in a statement.

In Benue, opposition voices, including the PDP and a faction of the APC led by Austin Agada, have backed the National Assembly’s intervention.

Political analysts warn the standoff could escalate into a prolonged constitutional and legal battle between the federal legislature and the affected state governments.

As of press time, it remains uncertain whether the House hearing will proceed as planned or if the National Assembly will attempt to enforce compliance with its summons.