THE PATRIOTS for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD) has asserted that the House of Representatives lacks the constitutional authority to summon democratically elected governors or state assembly leaders to public hearings concerning states’ internal affairs.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Dr. Sani Shinkafi, Executive Director of PAPSD, disclosed that the organization had become aware of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions summoning the governors of Benue and Zamfara states, along with their respective state assembly leaders, to appear before it on May 8.
The summons reportedly demanded an explanation as to why the House of Representatives should not assume their legislative functions.
This development followed a petition by a civil rights organization, Guardians of Democracy and the Rule of Law, urging the House of Representatives to take over the legislative duties of the two state assemblies.
While acknowledging the House’s commitment to addressing issues affecting Benue and Zamfara states, Shinkafi emphasized that such interventions must strictly adhere to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
“The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has no constitutional mandate to summon elected governors or state assembly leaders over matters strictly within their states’ jurisdiction. Such an action contravenes the spirit and letter of the nation’s supreme legal framework, which governs the conduct of all government branches and citizens,” he stated.
Shinkafi, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), highlighted that Nigeria operates as a federation comprising three tiers of government — federal, state, and local — each with clearly defined constitutional responsibilities.
“The principle of separation of powers among the executive, legislature, and judiciary is enshrined in the constitution to ensure effective governance and prevent undue interference by one arm of government into another’s affairs,” he explained.
He noted that while the National Assembly possesses investigative powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), such authority is restricted to matters within its legislative competence, including federal laws, appropriations, and oversight of federal agencies.
“This power is not absolute and does not extend to summoning individuals on purely state matters. Inviting a governor to answer for state affairs exceeds the National Assembly’s jurisdiction, as Nigeria’s federal structure guarantees state autonomy under Sections 4(6) and (7) of the Constitution,” Shinkafi stated.
He further argued that there was no justification for summoning the governors and assembly leaders, much less considering the takeover of state legislative functions.
Regarding Zamfara State, he clarified that the assembly remained functional, with 15 out of 24 members actively conducting legislative business.
“While some members were suspended — a standard parliamentary procedure in cases of rule violations — the assembly has continued to operate effectively.
“The recent parallel sitting by the suspended members is an internal matter that the assembly is fully capable of resolving,” he said.
Shinkafi dismissed claims of civil unrest or disruption in Zamfara, attributing such narratives to the political adversaries of the state seeking to undermine its democratic institutions.
He recommended that the House Committee conduct an on-the-ground assessment of Zamfara’s situation rather than relying solely on a petition from a civil society organization.
