As the National Assembly resumes from its long recess today, the House of Representatives and the Benue State Government have disagreed on the reasons for the spates of killings in the state in the past few months.
While the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese blamed Governor Hyacinth Alia for what it called his abandonment of the state anti-open grazing law for the increase in the killings of innocent citizens in recent times, the governor fired back, accusing Agbese of knowing next to nothing about how laws are suspended in state legislatures.
Attacks in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State in the past three weeks have left no fewer than 56 persons dead, with Gov Alia last week, appealing for Federal Government’s intervention to stem the tide.
Recall The two chambers had on March 27 proceeded on break to mark the Eid-el-Fitr and Easter celebrations and fixed Tuesday, April 29, 2025, as the resumption date. However, the Workers’ Days celebration on May 1 led to the extension of resumption by an additional week.
While on break, bandits in a senseless campaign of violence killed innocent Nigerians in Plateau, Benue and Zamfara States, culminating in calls for President Bola Tinubu to cut short his vacation in France to return home to lead the fight against insecurity from the front.
Speaking with The PUNCH exclusively, the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, said the leadership of the House is committed to speaking against all forms of criminality in the country, particularly the killings of defenceless Nigerians and destruction of their property.
He said, “As we resume tomorrow (Tuesday), we are prepared to tackle squarely the issue of insecurity across the country. We are tired of observing one-minute silence in honour of the dead all the time. Like the Speaker, the Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas always says, the life of every Nigerian is very important to the 10th National Assembly.
“To bring these issues to the attention of the government through urgent public importance is not a question we should be asking ourselves now. We want to see action, we want to see Nigeria secure so that everyone can move freely without fear of being attacked or killed.
“During our sectoral engagement with security chiefs not long ago, they promised action, and we saw a reduction in these attacks. But that was then.
“Things have worsened again, and we cannot continue. We hope to engage them again, and if we are convinced that they don’t have fresh ideas on how to address the challenge of insecurity, we will recommend to Mr President to relieve them of their duties and appoint fresh hands to step in.”
Agbese also commended the leadership of the House, saying, “Since we came on board in June 2023, Speaker Abbas has continued to prioritise the well-being of Nigerians, and as part of this parliament, we are not prepared to rest yet. Nigerians expect more from us and we can’t afford to let them down. What we must do as parliamentarians is to speak up when things are not going well.
“Killing Nigerians in their homes, farms or wherever should not be condoned. We are hopeful that as we resume our duty, we will lend our voices to the call for the safety of Nigerians wherever they are and that those tasked with maintaining peace and order, as well as the protection of lives and property, will step up their game and make this country secure for us all.”
On the incessant killings in Benue State over the past few months, Agbese who represents Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of the State, blamed the governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia for his handling of the state anti-grazing law.
He said, “Before his (Gov Alia) election, there was an anti open grazing law in place. He completely abandoned that law and was busy claiming that there were no issues in Benue. The governor kept referring to the ECOWAS Protocol which guarantees free movement of people and goods within the West Africa sub region.
“Truth as that may sound, the ECOWAS Protocol does not make room for reckless human transit without documentation, and this is what some of us pointed out to the governor.
“Before now, when herders came into new settlements, the law required them to give information about themselves to the locals. They were known to the people, but Gov Alia came and changed everything. At a point, he said there was no problem in Benue. We are happy that he is beginning to realise that this is not the way to go.
Meanwhile, Mr Agbese has called on Gov Hyacinth Alia and his Zamfara State counterpart, Dauda Lawal, to appear before the House Committee on Public Petitions as directed by the Committee Chairman, Mike Etaba last week.
Last week, the committee summoned the two governors, along with the leadership of their Houses of Assembly to appear before them on Thursday, May 8, to explain why their functions should not be taken over by the House of Representatives.
According to the statement, the invitation, “Was sequel to a petition written by a civil rights organisation, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, urging the House to take over the functions of the two Houses of Assembly.”
The Committee insisted that its intervention is necessary “To ensure that the rule of Law is upheld at all times. The parties have a wonderful opportunity to state their cases clearly so that Nigerians can know what is going on. Anarchy would never be given any space in our polity.”
Reminded that the State Assemblies have denied receiving the House summons, the Benue lawmaker urged them to move away from technicalities and appear before the Committee to enable Nigerians to hear their own side of the story.
“We can’t be hiding under needless technicalities all the time. If Nigerians are aware that there is a summon for the governors and State Assemblies to appear before a Standing Committee based on a petition, we expect the parties involved to appear before the committee.
“The National Assembly has the power to take over the functions of State Assemblies in line with the provision of Section 11 (4) of the Constitution. They should appear and let Nigerians know why that should not happen,” he said.
When asked if there will be consequences if they fail to appear, Agbese said, “Let us not discuss that yet. Let’s hope they will appear. Thursday is not today, and I sincerely hope they will be here. There is no reason to think otherwise,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has asked the deputy spokesman of the House of Representative, Philip Agbese to go for further study on what democracy entails.
Responding to the allegations by the house deputy spokesman that the governor abandoned the anti open grazing law of the state leading to reckless attack on Benue communities.
The governor who spoke through his Technical Adviser on Communication, Media and Publicity, Solomon Iorpev said that in a democratic system, there are processes to repeal existing laws.
He said, “I don’t like to respond to those who do not know their right hand from their left hand because it’s only in a military regime that you hear about suspension of laws without following due process.
“But in a democratic system, you should know that there must be processes to suspend existing laws and since he (deputy spokesman) does not give evidence to that, it means the he doesn’t know anything about democracy.
Iorpev added that the governor had at several fora, reiterated his stance on the full enforcement of the anti open grazing law in the state.
Benue Assembly reviews Reps summons today
The Benue State House of Assembly will today (Tuesday) take a decision on whether or not to honour the invitation of the House of Representative Committee on Public Petitions.
The House committee had on Friday summoned Governors of Benue and Zamfara states, Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal, respectively, as well as their respective state assemblies to appear before it on Thursday, March 8.
They are to appear before the committee to explain why their constitutional functions should not be taken over by the House of Representatives.
Commenting on the summon on Sunday, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Dajoh Hyacinth, told our correspondent that he had yet to receive the invitation.
He added that the lawmakers would sit on Tuesday (today) to take a decision.
He said, “I received the invitation today but I will present it to the House during our sitting tomorrow (Tuesday).
“The members will now deliberate on it and whatever the decision of the House, the public will know.”
On Sunday, a top Benue State government official said the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice and Public Orders, Fidelis Myimn, was studying the legality of the Reps summons on Governor Alia.
“This is a constitutional matter and the government needs to find out if the National Assembly has the oversight functions on state government and its state Assembly.
“I think the law will answer that, so the state attorney general would soon respond to that.”
However, the attorney general could not be reached on Monday for a reaction.
His mobile line indicated busy was called while he had also yet to respond to a text message as of the time of filing this report.
On Sunday, the Senior Special Assistant to Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, said the National Assembly had no constitutional right to invite a serving governor to appear before it.
He said, “The National Assembly, whether Senate or the House of Representatives, cannot invite the governor on issues relating to his state.
“Only the State Assembly has the power to invite a governor to appear before it.”
Kaura also wondered how the lawmakers who were currently on recess could hurriedly return to the National Assembly and invite the governor to appear before them.
“The honourable members are currently on recess, and I wonder if they have terminated their holidays and returned to Abuja just to see the two governors of Zamfara and Benue.
“Governor Lawal did not even receive the invitation letter and will not go to Abuja to waste his time,” he said.
Zamfara Assembly vows to continue sitting
Meanwhile, nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have vowed to continue sitting despite alleged intimidation, harassment by the state government
This was contained in a statement signed by the member representing Talata-Mafara South Constituency, Aliyu Kagara on behalf of the other parallel Assembly members which was made available to newsmen on Sunday.
The statement added that the members shall continue to work in the spheres of their mandate as lawmakers of the state as well as the representatives of their respective constituents.
“We in the Zamfara State parallel House of Assembly under the eminent leadership of Hon Bashar Gummi wish to categorically state and inform the good people of the state that we shall continue to work in the spheres of our mandate as law makers of our dear state and representatives of our respective constituents.
“No amount of intimidation from the state government, including the use of some so-called politically twisted courts or legal officers, can derail our focused leadership.
“We are aware of the malicious actions against us by the state government and have written petitions against the Dauda Lawal led administration to security agencies both at the state and national levels.
“We also approached stakeholders who mean well to both the state and our good people on the situation and flagrant abuse of law by the other faction of the State House of Assembly under Hon. Bilyaminu Moriki which suspended us.
“Some of us have been suspended for over a year now without recourse to the constitution and the law”.
The members said they were aware of the state government’s alleged plan to attack them and their families by using political thugs.
“We are also aware and in possession of recorded planned attack on us and our families by some thugs close to the governor and have alerted the security on these, in case anything happens to any of us (individually or collectively),” the statement added.
The members also expressed disgust over the inability of the state government to resolve the issue amicably instead of using the judiciary which according to them would only make the matter worse.
“While the state government mandated some past leaders of the State House of Assembly to meet and discuss with us towards resolving the crisis and while we have a pending case at the Appeal Court, Sokoto, it hurriedly went to a lower court to seek for our arrest without any charge.
“Our stance on the respect to the rule of law by all arms of government in the state remains unshaken.
“We are not afraid of all the threats, nor shall we be deterred on our mandate, “ they argued.
Senate to pass Tinubu’s tax bills, address killings
The Senate is set to prioritise the passage of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills and incessant killings in Benue, Plateau and Borno killings upon resumption on Tuesday.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday
The four bills, Nigerian Tax Bill, Tax Administration Bill, Revenue Tax Board Bill, and Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill were forwarded by the President six months ago as part of efforts to reform the country’s fiscal policies and boost revenue generation.
The delay in the passage of the bills had raised concerns, especially after the House of Representatives approved them two weeks ago, putting pressure on the Red Chamber.
On the other hand, the rise in the wave of insecurity and killings in Benue, Plateau, Kwara and other communities like Bassa, Mangu, Bokkos, and Riyom in the North Central have also continued to generate outrage from concerned Nigerians.
The senator, however, assured that the matters would be promptly addressed once lawmakers return from their Sallah and Easter break on Tuesday.
He said, “First on our agenda is the further consideration of the Tax Reform Bills, 2024. Its passage has become imperative to reform the country’s tax regime and shore up the revenue of the federation. This will also help governments at all levels to implement projects and deliver the dividends of democracy.
“The recent resurgence of insecurity in different parts of the federation, especially Benue, Borno, Katsina and Plateau, has caught our attention. The Senate will speed up engagement with key actors in the security sector and come up with mechanisms for the effective management of national security. We are committed to putting an end to all acts of terrorism.”
Continuing, Bamidele noted that the Senate will also review other bills of strategic national interest that are pending in different sectors of the economy.
According to him, there is an urgent need to consider those bills including Constitution and Electoral Act 2022 review and ensure their passage expeditiously.
The Senate leader also highlighted that efforts are ongoing to reconcile all warring parties in Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency.
“We will also encourage our special and standing committees to put in place public hearings that will give us the opportunity to engage with the electorate on various aspects of law-making and give their inputs. As we resume, the Senate will work with the Executive to resolve all lingering socio-political issues across the federation, including the situation in Rivers State.
“The essence is to ensure that all stakeholders come to terms on the need to address the root causes of those issues and ensure proper reconciliation of all key actors in the overriding public interest. The review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is going on steadily.
“Now that we have resumed, the Constitution Review Committee chaired by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jubrin will speed up the review process with a view to strengthening our federal structure in the interest of all. Likewise, the Senate will kick-start the review of the Electoral Act, 2022 for the conduct of a more credible and transparent election.”