By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has formally rejected the recent summons issued by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions to the Honourable Speakers of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly.
The summons purportedly based on petitions from a civil society group, Guardians of Democracy and the Rule of Law is viewed by the Conference as an overreach of constitutional powers and a direct challenge to Nigeria’s federal structure and the autonomy of State Legislatures as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
In a formal letter transmitted to the Committee, a copy of which was sighted by Corenews, the Conference stated that the investigative and oversight powers of the National Assembly under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution are limited to federal matters.
It emphasized that state legislatures are constitutionally independent arms of government, and their presiding officers cannot be summoned over internal legislative issues, except where a clear constitutional or federal matter is involved.
Supporting this position, the Speakers of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly have also written independently to express strong constitutional objections to the summons, affirming that the issues raised are purely domestic and fall outside the oversight jurisdiction of the National Assembly.
The Conference warns that any attempt to erode the constitutional independence of State Assemblies may set a dangerous precedent that could undermine democracy at the sub-national level.
The Conference calls on the National Assembly to uphold the principles of separation of powers and mutual institutional respect, while assuring Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law at all levels of governance.
