The Benue State House of Assembly has rejected a summons issued by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions and is threatening legal action. The summons called on the Benue and Zamfara State governors, along with their legislative leaders, to appear on May 8, 2025, over a petition suggesting the National Assembly take over their legislative functions.
In response, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution directing Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh to ignore the summons, labeling it unconstitutional. A statement from Chief Press Secretary Terver Zamber said the Assembly will seek redress in court and has called on the Nigerian Bar Association and the Inspector General of Police to investigate those behind the petition, identified as the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law.
Majority Leader Saater Tiseer criticized the summons as unconstitutional, citing Section 101 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants state assemblies autonomy over their affairs. Member Peter Ipusu backed legal action, calling for the petitioners to be held accountable for misleading the National Assembly.
