Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Sani Shinkafi, has strongly condemned the House of Representatives’ decision to summon the governors of Zamfara and Benue states over ongoing political unrest.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Shinkafi described the move as an overreach, arguing that the National Assembly lacks the constitutional power to compel state executives to appear before any of its committees on issues strictly within state jurisdiction.
“Certainly, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has no constitutional power to summon democratically elected governors or State Assembly leaders to a public hearing on internal affairs of their states,” Shinkafi said.
⚠️ Reps Under Fire Ahead of May 8 Hearing
The controversy stems from a petition submitted by a civil rights group, Guardians of Democracy and the Rule of Law, which triggered the House Committee’s plan to question both governors and state legislative leaders on May 8, 2025.
Shinkafi described the petition as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine constitutional order in Zamfara and Benue.
He also referenced Sections 88 and 89 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which limit the National Assembly’s investigative authority to matters in which it has direct legislative or appropriation oversight.
“Separation of powers exists for a reason. The legislature must respect the boundaries laid out by the Constitution,” he added.
🔥 Senate, Reps at Crossroads as Political Tension Mounts
Shinkafi’s statement intensifies the clash of narratives at the federal level. It comes barely 24 hours after Senate President Godswill Akpabio warned that the escalating crises in Benue and Zamfara could push the president into declaring a state of emergency.
Akpabio had called on political actors to avoid “engineering a collapse” in their states just to trigger federal intervention. But Shinkafi sees the emergency rule discourse as premature and potentially harmful.
“There is no clear and present danger in Zamfara that justifies emergency rule,” Shinkafi said.
He argued that the Zamfara House of Assembly continues to operate, with 15 of 24 members active despite internal suspensions.
🧠 Call for Focus: Invite Security Chiefs, Not Governors
Shinkafi said the real constitutional responsibility of the House of Reps lies in holding national security operatives accountable — not dragging governors into politically charged hearings.
“If there is any real concern for security, the House should summon the Inspector General of Police or the Service Chiefs. They are the ones with constitutional responsibility for peace and order,” he said.
He praised Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal for his “bold reforms” and said recent development efforts in the state should not be distracted by politically induced instability.
🧨 Constitutional Brinkmanship or Political Overkill?
The confrontation between federal lawmakers and state executives highlights growing anxieties over the use — or misuse — of emergency rule provisions in Nigeria.
Legal experts say the situation exposes a lack of clarity in the separation of powers framework and the need for stricter adherence to constitutional limits.
“What we are witnessing is a stress test for federalism,” said constitutional lawyer Abdulrahman Mustapha. “Who holds who accountable — and how far can legislative power go?”
As the May 8 public hearing approaches, all eyes are on the National Assembly. Will it escalate or de-escalate? And will the presidency allow emergency powers to become a political playbook?
