The Zamfara State Lawyers Forum has thrown its weight behind the Nigerian House of Representatives’ decision to summon Governor Dauda Lawal and leaders of the State’s House of Assembly. This follows ongoing unrest within the state’s legislature and a surge in insecurity across the Northwestern region.
The forum, a key player in legal advocacy, emphasized that the summons falls within the scope of the National Assembly’s constitutional powers. According to Sections 88 and 89 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, the National Assembly is empowered to investigate matters of public concern and call relevant officials to account.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Barrister Aisha Muhammed, the chairperson of the forum, expressed strong support for the House’s actions, deeming them “legally valid, constitutionally supported, and necessary” for upholding the rule of law and democratic principles. She argued that Governor Lawal and the state Assembly leaders must provide clarity regarding the suspension of seven lawmakers and the controversial declaration of another lawmaker’s seat as vacant—actions that raise serious constitutional concerns.
Muhammed further stated that no official, including governors and assembly leaders, should be shielded from legislative scrutiny, referencing Section 308 of the Constitution, which grants immunity from judicial action but does not exempt officials from non-coercive oversight.
“Accountability is the cornerstone of democracy. No one, regardless of their position, is above the people’s right to transparency,” she stressed.
The summons was issued by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions on Friday, instructing Governor Lawal, his Benue State counterpart Hyacinth Alia, and their respective assembly leaders to appear before the committee on May 8, 2025. The move follows a petition from the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, which raised concerns about the growing insecurity and legislative dysfunction in both Zamfara and Benue States.
Zamfara has witnessed a dramatic rise in banditry, with recent attacks claiming numerous lives, including six community protection guards and four vigilantes in Anka Local Government Area on March 22, as well as 20 gold miners in Maru Local Government Area on April 24.
The state’s legislative crisis, marked by infighting and allegations of executive meddling, has further deepened the governance challenges.
Muhammed criticized Governor Lawal for seemingly endorsing the controversial actions of the assembly, calling for both legal and moral scrutiny. She underscored that the National Assembly’s intervention is not just lawful but essential for maintaining constitutional order and addressing public concerns.
“The key issue is not whether the Governor or the Speaker can be summoned, but what they have to say in response to these pressing questions,” she concluded.
