House of Reps lacks power to summon governors, says ro-democracy group

By Abubakar Yunusa

A Nigerian pro-democracy organisation, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), has declared that the House of Representatives lacks the constitutional authority to summon state governors or interfere in state matters, labelling such actions a violation of Nigeria’s federal structure.

The statement follows a press release by the House Committee on Public Petitions on 2 May 2025, announcing the summoning of the governors of Benue and Zamfara states, alongside their state assembly leaders, to appear before the committee on 8 May.

The summons was prompted by a petition from the Guardians of Democracy and the Rule of Law, urging the House to assume the functions of the two state assemblies.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, PAPSD’s Executive Director, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, argued that the House’s actions contravene Nigeria’s Constitution, which delineates clear roles for the federal, state, and local tiers of government.

“The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has no constitutional power to summon democratically elected governors or state assembly leaders to a public hearing on strictly internal affairs of their states,” Shinkafi said, citing the principle of separation of powers and state autonomy under Section 4(6) and (7) of the Constitution.

Shinkafi further clarified that the National Assembly’s investigative powers, as outlined in Sections 88 and 89, are limited to federal matters such as laws, appropriations, or oversight of federal agencies. Summoning governors over state issues, he argued, exceeds this mandate.

The controversy centres on Zamfara State, where PAPSD insists the state assembly remains functional despite internal disputes.

The group noted that 15 of the 24 assembly members continue to hold meetings and transact legislative business, dismissing claims of a crisis warranting federal intervention.

“There is no civil unrest or disruption of executive and legislative duties,” Shinkafi said, accusing “political enemies” of fabricating a crisis to undermine Zamfara’s democratic structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

PAPSD also praised Governor Dauda Lawal’s transformative leadership in Zamfara, urging the House to focus on supporting security efforts instead of entertaining “frivolous” petitions.

The group highlighted recent military successes, including a 2 May operation by the 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, which neutralised several bandit kingpins in Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda, as evidence of progress in restoring peace.

The organisation called on the House to dismiss the petition and avoid actions that could “impede the nation’s democracy.”

It also urged aggrieved citizens to seek judicial redress rather than stoking political tensions.

“After 26 years of unbroken representative governance, it is time to water the tree of democracy,” Shinkafi concluded.