Zamfara Lawyers Back Reps’ Summon Of Gov Lawal Over State Assembly Crisis

The Zamfara State Lawyers Forum has endorsed the Nigerian House of Representatives’ decision to summon Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, and leaders of the State’s House of Assembly, amid a deepening crisis within the legislature and escalating insecurity across the Northwestern State.

The forum, a prominent legal advocacy group, described the summons as a constitutionally valid exercise of legislative oversight, citing Sections 88 and 89 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to investigate matters of public interest and summon relevant officials.

Barrister Aisha Muhammed, the forum’s chairperson, said in a statement on Sunday that the House of Representatives’ action was “legally valid, constitutionally supported, and deeply necessary” to uphold democratic governance and the rule of law.

She argued that Governor Lawal and State Assembly leaders must answer questions regarding the suspension of seven elected lawmakers in the States and the controversial declaration of a lawmaker’s seat vacant—actions she said raised “grave constitutional questions” and potentially breached democratic norms.

“Governors and assembly leaders must not invoke immunity as a shield against legitimate oversight,” Muhammed said, referencing Section 308 of the Constitution, which grants immunity from judicial processes but does not exempt officials from non-coercive legislative inquiries.

“Accountability is the lifeblood of constitutional democracy. No public office holder, no matter how highly placed, is above the people’s right to transparency.”

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions issued the summons on Friday, directing Governor Lawal, his Benue State counterpart Hyacinth Alia, and their respective State Assembly leaders to appear before it on May 8, 2025.

The move followed a petition by the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, a civil rights group, highlighting worsening insecurity and legislative dysfunction in both States.

Zamfara has been plagued by rampant banditry, with recent attacks claiming dozens of lives, including six community protection guards and four vigilantes in Anka Local Government Area on March 22, and 20 gold miners in Maru Local Government Area on April 24.

The state’s legislative crisis, marked by factionalism and alleged executive interference, has further compounded governance challenges.

Muhammed criticised Governor Lawal’s apparent acquiescence to the assembly’s controversial actions, calling for “legal and moral scrutiny”.

She stressed that the National Assembly’s intervention was not only lawful but obligatory to preserve constitutional order and address public grievances.

“The key question is not whether the Governor or the Speaker can be summoned, but [what] they have [to say in response to] questions to answer,” she stated.