The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned two Nigerian governors to appear before it.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara must face the committee on Thursday, May 8. The lawmakers also summoned the Speakers and leadership of both state Houses of Assembly.
This follows rising concerns about insecurity in the two states.
The Committee wants the leaders to explain why the House of Representatives shouldn’t take over their constitutional duties due to alleged failure to maintain peace and order.
Chooks Oko, the Committee’s Head of Media, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday.
The summons came after a petition was submitted by a civic group, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law. The group urged the federal lawmakers to take control of legislative functions in the two states.
The group said the current level of insecurity shows that the two state governments are not doing enough.
Lawmakers Say Nigeria Must Not Slide into Disorder
The committee’s chairman, Mike Etaba, signed the summons himself. He noted that the invited governors and lawmakers had already been briefed on the matter.
Etaba said the summons offers them a chance to defend themselves and explain what steps they have taken to restore peace.
“Ours is to ensure that the rule of law is upheld at all times,” he said.
“The parties have a wonderful opportunity to state their cases clearly so that Nigerians can know what is going on.”
He added: “Anarchy would never be given any space in our polity.”
Sources in the National Assembly said the committee is acting under Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution. That section gives the National Assembly the power to take over state functions if there is a breakdown of law and order.
Benue and Zamfara have faced several security challenges in recent years. In Benue, frequent attacks by armed herdsmen have displaced thousands. In Zamfara, banditry and mass kidnappings have become regular events.
Civil society groups have repeatedly accused both state governments of not responding fast enough to the security crisis.
Now, the National Assembly wants answers.
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