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The Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD) has strongly criticised the House of Representatives for summoning the governors of Zamfara and Benue states, calling the move unconstitutional and politically motivated.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, the group said the House Committee on Public Petitions lacks the constitutional authority to summon state governors or state assembly leaders over state matters.
“This crucial intervention must be in compliance with the nation's Constitution. Certainly, the House of Representatives has no constitutional power to summon democratically elected governors on internal affairs of their states,” Shinkafi stated.
Citing Sections 88, 89, and 11 of the Nigerian Constitution, PAPSD stressed that the National Assembly's oversight powers are limited to federal matters and cannot extend to state legislative or executive functions unless a state assembly is unable to perform its duties due to prevailing unrest—a condition not met in Zamfara.
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“Majority of the Zamfara State House of Assembly members have been holding meetings and transacting business,” Shinkafi said, adding that a recent parallel sitting by nine suspended lawmakers does not constitute a legislative breakdown.
He further accused political actors of using the National Assembly to destabilise Zamfara ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Having failed to get the President to declare a state of emergency, they now seek to hijack the legislature,” he alleged.
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Shinkafi urged the House to summon service chiefs instead and focus on national security, disregarding what he described as a “frivolous and spurious” petition.
PAPSD reaffirmed its commitment to protecting democracy and the rule of law, calling on citizens to pursue grievances through the courts rather than stoke political instability.