Over 1,000 lawyers under the Save Benue and Zamfara Coalition have petitioned the National Assembly, urging it to constitutionally assume control of legislative functions in Benue and Zamfara States due to alleged political interference and paralysis of the state assemblies.
During a peaceful protest at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday, the coalition, led by Barr. Sambari Benjamin, cited Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to step in when state legislatures can no longer function effectively.
The petition alleges that in Zamfara, 10 lawmakers were suspended in February 2024 on the orders of Governor Dauda Lawal after raising concerns about the state’s worsening insecurity. In Benue, 13 lawmakers were reportedly suspended for refusing Governor Hyacinth Alia’s directive to remove the State Chief Judge.
According to the coalition, these suspensions have crippled both legislative houses, posing a serious threat to democratic governance and the rule of law. The group warned that failure to act could lead to emergency rule in both states—and potentially across the country.
“We write to request the urgent intervention of the Senate under your able leadership to forestall the demise of our democracy in instalments,” the petition reads. “Our fears are that all of Nigeria’s 36 states could fall under emergency rule unless urgent constitutional steps are taken.”
The lawyers also raised concerns that the current instability could spill over into the National Assembly, urging Senate President Godswill Akpabio to take decisive action before it’s too late.
Leave a Reply