The Benue State House of Assembly Tuesday passed a resolution urging its Speaker, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, to disregard summon from the National Assembly Public Petition Committee.
The Assembly argued that the summons contravenes the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended.
According to the Assembly during a plenary, Tuesday,
the summon is an attempt to usurp its powers and undermine its autonomy.
The House resolved to take legal action against the National Assembly, while also requesting investigations by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Inspector General of Police into the individuals who signed the petition.
The Majority Leader of the House, Comr. Saater Tiseer, described the notice sent by the National Assembly as “out of ignorance,” citing Section 101 of the Constitution, which gives the House the power to legislate on its business without external control.
Members of the Assembly, including Hon. Bemdoo Ipusu, Hon. Micheal Audu, and Hon. Peter Uche, condemned the National Assembly’s decision and urged the Speaker and leadership not to appear.
They argued that the National Assembly was not properly informed and that the Assembly is vibrant and performing its duties effectively.
The Assembly also called on the National Assembly Caucus from Benue state to engage with the House to address the issue.
It could be noted that in recent times a growing tension has emerged between the Benue State House of Assembly and the National Assembly.
The National Assembly invited Governor Hyacinth Alia and Speaker Aondona Dajoh to explain the security situation in the state and the suspension of some assembly members.
However, the state assembly has asserted its autonomy, while the National Assembly insists it has the constitutional right to exercise oversight.