Reps mull taking over Benue, Zamfara assemblies

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the governors of Zamfara and Benue states, Dauda Lawal and Hyacinth Alia, along with the leadership of their respective state Houses of Assembly, to appear before it on Thursday, May 8.

The committee’s invitation aims to give the governors an opportunity to explain why the House of Representatives should not assume legislative functions in their states.

The move follows a petition filed by civil rights group, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, urging the House to take over legislative duties in both assemblies due to persistent internal disputes among lawmakers.

The summons, signed by committee chairman Mike Etaba, indicated that the invited parties have already been briefed on the matter. Etaba explained that the House’s role is to ensure the continuous application of the rule of law.

“The meeting will afford parties an opportunity to state their cases clearly for the understanding of lawmakers and Nigerians,” Etaba said, stressing that “anarchy would never be given any space in the country’s political space.”