Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has expressed concern over the legality of an invitation extended to him by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, describing it as constitutionally questionable.
The governor was invited alongside members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly to appear before the committee over alleged constitutional breaches and an apparent breakdown of governance in the state.
The summons was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Media of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Chooks Oko.
According to the statement, the committee is seeking explanations on issues ranging from the suspension of lawmakers to the worsening security situation in the state, as well as why the National Assembly should not invoke its powers under Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution to take over the functions of the Zamfara State House of Assembly.
The statement noted that the situation in Zamfara has been further complicated by the emergence of a parallel House of Assembly, with nine lawmakers insisting on their continued legitimacy despite their suspension.
The factional lawmakers, operating under an alternative leadership, have reportedly demanded that the governor present the 2025 budget to them, arguing that they remain constitutionally empowered to carry out legislative duties.
Zamfara State has for years battled persistent banditry, with frequent attacks, killings, abductions, extortion, and cattle rustling, particularly in rural communities.
Reacting to the invitation, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Broadcast and Communications, Mustafa Jafaru Kaura, said the National Assembly lacks constitutional authority to summon a sitting governor over matters strictly within state jurisdiction.
“The National Assembly, whether the Senate or the House of Representatives, cannot compel a governor to appear before it on state matters. Only a State House of Assembly has the constitutional power to invite a governor,” Kaura said.
Similarly, the Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said while the National Assembly may invite governors on national issues, such invitations are not binding.
The PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Halliru Andi, described the summons as politically motivated rather than a genuine constitutional intervention.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State defended the invitation.
The party’s spokesperson, Yusuf Idris Gusau, said the move was timely and necessary given the deteriorating security situation in the state.
“Considering the worsening security challenges in Zamfara, it is appropriate for the House of Representatives to invite the governor to explore lasting solutions,” Gusau said.
Meanwhile, the nine-member factional Assembly has vowed to continue its sittings despite what it described as intimidation and harassment by the state government.
In a statement signed by Aliyu Kagara, the lawmaker representing Talata-Mafara South Constituency, the group said it would continue to operate within the scope of its constitutional mandate.
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