Benue Assembly to sue NASS committee on public petitionsThe Benue State House of Assembly has resolved to take legal action against the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions for issuing a summons to its Speaker and leadership. This decision was made during a plenary session on Tuesday, presided over by Speaker Hon. Hyacinth Dajoh at the Assembly’s Hearing Hall in Makurdi.
The House resolved to disregard the summons, citing it as a contravention of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended. Instead, they proposed engaging with the National Assembly in a diplomatic manner to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
The Assembly also called upon the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Inspector General of Police to investigate the individuals behind the petition, submitted by a group known as “Guidance for Democracy.” Furthermore, the House urged the National Assembly caucus from Benue State to collaborate with them to promote the state’s interests rather than projecting a negative image.
Earlier, the Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, read out a correspondence from the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, which summoned the Speaker and leadership to appear on May 8, 2025.
Hon. Tiseer argued that the notice demonstrated a significant lack of understanding of legislative powers, citing Section 101 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants State Houses of Assembly the authority to legislate on their own affairs without external interference.
“By the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Benue State House of Assembly is not answerable to the National Assembly”, Hon. Tiseer said.
The Majority Chief Whip, Hon. Peter Ipusu, supported the resolution to sue the National Assembly, also suggesting that the group that misled the Committee should face legal action.
He pointed out discrepancies in the petition, including the inclusion of Hon. Terwase Uche’s name alongside suspended members, indicating a lack of knowledge about recent Assembly proceedings.
“I wonder why the National Assembly would want to take over the functions of an Assembly that is vibrant and performing its duties effectively,” Hon. Ipusu stated.
He categorically stated that the three arms of government in the state are not in conflict with each other, but rather working in accordance with their constitutional duties and responsibilities.
Other members, including Minority Leader Hon. Michael Audu and Hon. Terwase Uche, condemned the National Assembly’s decision and advised the Speaker and leadership to seek legal redress rather than complying with the summons. Hon. Uche emphasized that he continues to effectively represent his constituents and expressed dismay over the inclusion of his name in the petition.
Member representing Kwande West, Hon. Thomas Dugeri, expressed disappointment over the Committee’s description of the Benue State House of Assembly as non-functional and crisis-ridden, stating that it was saddening to see such correspondence from a federal committee.
