The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has issued a formal summons to the Governors of Benue and Zamfara states, Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal, over what it describes as worsening security issues in their regions.
The two governors, along with the speakers of their state Houses of Assembly, are expected to appear before the committee on Thursday, May 8.
The committee’s decision follows a petition submitted by a civil rights group, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law. The organisation approached the National Assembly urging them to intervene due to what it described as a failure by the two state governments to effectively handle security matters affecting the lives of residents.
The House is now considering whether to invoke constitutional powers that would allow it to temporarily take over the legislative duties of the state assemblies, citing breakdowns in law and order as the reason for potential intervention.
The summons was made public through a statement issued on Friday by Chooks Oko, Head of Media for the Committee on Public Petitions. In the statement, it was noted that both the executive and legislative arms of the affected states are being called upon to present their explanations and defend their actions, or lack thereof, before the committee.
According to Oko, “The summons is sequel to a petition written by a civil rights organisation, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law urging the House to take over the functions of the two Houses of Assembly.”
The invitation letters were personally signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Mike Etaba, who noted that all parties involved are already well-informed about the subject of the petition.
“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,” he said.
