Two Nigerian governors have thrown a fiery punch at the National Assembly, rejecting summons that could shake their states’ fragile peace. On May 5, 2025, Zamfara’s Dauda Lawal and Benue’s Hyacinth Alia declared they won’t honor the House of Representatives’ call to answer for alleged governance failures and insecurity rocking their state assemblies. The lawmakers, armed with a petition from a civil rights group, threatened to seize control of the state legislatures—a move the governors slammed as illegal and politically charged. As Nigeria’s political cauldron bubbles, this clash exposes deep cracks in federal power and local loyalty, leaving Nigerians wondering if Abuja’s grip is slipping.The Summons: A Power Grab or Duty?The drama unfolded when the House Committee on Public Petitions, led by Hon. Mike Etaba, summoned Lawal, Alia, and their state assembly leaders to appear on May 8, 2025. The summons, sparked by a petition from Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, accused both states of constitutional breaches. In Benue, 13 lawmakers were suspended for opposing Governor Alia’s move to oust the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese. In Zamfara, a rogue faction of nine lawmakers formed a parallel assembly, claiming legitimacy and demanding Lawal present the 2025 budget. The committee warned that under Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Assembly could take over state legislative functions if chaos persists.Governors’ Defiance: Why They’re Fighting BackZamfara’s Lawal didn’t mince words. His PDP spokesperson, Halliru Andi, called the summons a “politically motivated” stunt, insisting governors answer to their state assemblies and voters, not Abuja lawmakers. “Lawal didn’t even get the invitation letter,” Andi scoffed, accusing the House of dancing to the tune of former governor Bello Matawalle’s allies. Benue’s Alia echoed the rebellion, with his aide Tersoo Kula arguing the National Assembly overstepped its bounds, especially since lawmakers were on recess. Both governors see the summons as a veiled attempt to destabilize their administrations, fueled by rivals eyeing 2027 elections. National Assembly’s Reputation: Trusted or Tarnished?The National Assembly’s image is a mixed bag. To some Nigerians, it’s a democratic cornerstone, passing budgets and probing corruption. But others see it as a club of self-serving politicians, bloated with allowances while insecurity and poverty fester. In 2022, 80 senators threatened to impeach then-President Buhari over rising attacks, earning praise for boldness. Yet, scandals—like padded budgets and lavish SUV purchases—have dented trust. In Zamfara and Benue, locals suspect the House’s summons is less about justice and more about settling political scores, especially since both states battle banditry and ethnic clashes the federal government hasn’t fully curbed.
Can Governors Legally Snub the Summons?Legally, the governors have a case. The 1999 Constitution grants the National Assembly power to intervene in state assemblies under Section 11(4), but only in extreme cases, like a total collapse of governance. Zamfara’s parallel assembly and Benue’s suspensions are messy, but both states’ legislatures are still functioning. Andi’s claim that governors aren’t bound to obey federal lawmakers holds water, as their primary accountability is to state electorates and courts, not the House. However, defying the summons risks escalating tensions, potentially inviting federal sanctions or a court battle.The Heart of the Matter: Power and Politics for the average Nigerian—say, a trader in Makurdi or a farmer in Gusau—this is more than a legal spat. Zamfara reels from banditry, with over 100 abducted in Maru in 2024. Benue faces ethnic violence, worsened by herder-farmer clashes. Both governors argue that Abuja’s meddling distracts from these crises. Lawal’s launch of 2,645 Community Protection Guards in 2024 shows his focus on security, while Alia’s suspension of lawmakers was to assert control. The National Assembly’s move, backed by a shadowy petition, smells like a power play to some, especially since former Zamfara governor Matawalle, now a minister, has clashed with Lawal over banditry allegations.
A Nation on Edge
This standoff isn’t just about two states—it’s a mirror of Nigeria’s fragile unity. The National Assembly’s summons could set a precedent, letting Abuja muscle into state affairs. But Lawal and Alia’s defiance taps into a deeper sentiment: Nigerians want leaders who fight for them, not bow to distant powers. As markets hum and motorbikes roar, the people of Zamfara and Benue watch closely. Their governors’ bold stand might rally support or ignite a bigger fire. For now, the battle lines are drawn, and Nigeria’s political stage burns brighter than ever.
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