…Cites constitutional overreach
The Conference of Speakers of State legislatures of Nigeria has rejected the recent summons issued by the 10th House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions to the Speakers of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly, describing it as a violation of constitutional boundaries.
The summons, which stemmed from petitions by a civil society group, Guardians of Democracy and the Rule of Law, was deemed by the Conference as an overreach of the National Assembly’s powers and a threat to Nigeria’s federal structure and the constitutional autonomy of state legislatures.
In a formal letter to the Committee, the Conference stressed that the National Assembly’s investigative powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution are strictly limited to federal issues.
The Speakers asserted that State legislatures operate as independent arms of Government and their internal affairs cannot be subjected to federal oversight, unless a clear constitutional or federal issue is involved.
Backing this stance, the Speakers of the Benue and Zamfara State Assemblies also submitted separate letters objecting to the summons, insisting that the matters in question are purely domestic and outside the jurisdiction of the National Assembly.
The Conference warned that such actions could set a dangerous precedent and undermine democratic governance at the sub-national level.
