Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara have declined the invitation from the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, casting doubt on its constitutionality and legitimacy.

The committee called the governors and their state assemblies on Friday due to alleged constitutional infractions and governance shortcomings, according to a statement released by Chooks Oko, its head of media.

Legislative issues and deteriorating security conditions in both states have lawmakers looking for answers.

The suspension of 13 lawmakers who are thought to be against Governor Alia is at the center of the dispute in Benue.

The governor’s decision to suspend Justice Maurice Ikpambese, the state’s chief judge, caused a political controversy and charges of governmental overreach, which the suspended members had criticized.

A group of nine lawmakers who were suspended earlier still maintain their legitimacy and have called on Governor Lawal to show them the budget until 2025. The state now has a parallel legislative system as a result of this development.

Additionally, both states are battling long-standing security issues. Heavy-armed bandits continue to besieging Zamfara, committing extortion, livestock rustling, and mass kidnappings, especially in rural areas.

Deadly conflicts between armed herders and farmers continue to occur in Benue, endangering both human life and food production.

Prominent officials from both state governments have rejected the invitation, claiming that the National Assembly lacks the constitutional authority to call governors to discuss state issues.

Hyacinth Dajoh, the speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, played down the news, claiming he had not yet received an official invitation. “It’s all a social media issue. Maybe the letter may reach my office on Monday, but as of now, I cannot respond to it,” he said.

Governors are answerable to their state assemblies and residents, not the National Assembly, according to Zamfara State PDP Publicity Secretary Halliru Andi, who denounced the House committee’s move. “No amount of intimidation from so-called politically twisted committees or courts can derail our leadership,” Andi said

In the meantime, Zamfara’s factional lawmakers asserted that they had discovered schemes to attack them. “We are aware of plans to attack us and our families. We have a recording of the planned attack and have alerted security agencies in case anything happens to us,” they revealed in a statement.

The PDP and the Austin Agada-led APC group are among the opposition parties in Benue that have stated their support for the National Assembly’s intervention. Political analysts warn that the matter could lead to a protracted legal and constitutional battle between the two state governments and federal parliamentarians.

It’s still unclear as of this writing if the National Assembly would try to execute its summons or if the hearing will go forward as planned.

Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Speaker dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC alongside Hon. Sunny Ifada, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, former Deputy Speaker Hon. Roland Asoro, former House Majority Leader Hon. Nosa Nosayaba.

Their defection to the APC now makes the party having 18 out of the 24 members of the Assembly.

The defection ground rally held today , May 6, 2025, also saw the former PDP State Secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba, and 17 Local Government Chairmen, numerous councilors, joining the APC.

APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru who received the defectors on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, assured them of equal opportunities within the APC.

He emphasized the significance of their defection as a milestone for the party’s consolidation in Edo.

He commended Governor Okpebholo for his leadership, particularly for ensuring regular salary payments and infrastructural renewal such as the ongoing road projects in Ekpoma.

He noted that the wave of defections signifies a shift in political tides and reflects growing confidence in the APC-led administration.

On his part, Okpebholo welcomed the new entrants into the APC fold, promising that the state is on a path to an accelerated growth with the full backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Edo is witnessing unprecedented development because we have a president who believes in our people.

“From roads to flyovers, education, youth employment, and agriculture, we are investing massively to ensure food security and economic stability,” the governor stated.

He declared that Edo would play a leading role in ensuring President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

“We will lead the South-South in supporting Mr. President. We have the structure and the momentum, and we will launch this mission from Edo State,” he affirmed.

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, described the Speaker’s return to APC as a homecoming, further describing Agbebaku as one of the original builders of the party in the state.

“This defection is a testament to the governor’s impressive performance. Out of 24 Assembly members, APC now holds 18 seats, providing the needed legislative support to move the state forward,” Oshiomhole said.

He expressed optimism that the governor’s achievements would earn him a second term in 2028, just as Edo State would deliver for President Tinubu in 2027.

Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, attributed the wave of defections to the visible development strides under Governor Okpebholo.

“The governor’s performance speaks volumes, and his results are drawing others back to the party,” he said.

Speaker Agbebaku, in his remarks, praised the governor’s developmental focus, citing the construction of Uhonmora Secondary School and three major roads in Owan West LGA as signs of inclusive governance.

“We are here to support the governor and the president to move Edo forward,” he declared.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather warning for the period from Tuesday to Thursday, forecasting haze and thunderstorms across the country.

In the northern region, dust haze is expected over parts of Katsina and Kano on Tuesday, while thunderstorms will affect areas like Taraba and Adamawa during the afternoon and evening. The North-Central region will experience sunny skies with some clouds, but thunderstorms are likely later in parts of Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, and Abuja.

In the southern region, NiMet predicts cloudy skies with periods of sunshine, as well as morning thunderstorms in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa. Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected in parts of Lagos, Delta, Edo, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, and other southern states.

On Wednesday, sunny skies will prevail in the northern region, with thunderstorms anticipated in Taraba and Adamawa later in the day. The North-Central region will see thunderstorms in parts of Plateau, Kogi, and Benue, while in the south, thunderstorms are forecast over Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom in the morning and other southern states like Ogun and Imo in the afternoon.

For Thursday, sunny skies are expected in the northern and North-Central regions, while thunderstorms will occur later in parts of Abuja, Plateau, Kwara, and other northern states. In the south, morning thunderstorms are likely in Delta and Bayelsa, with more storms in other southern states later in the day.

The public is advised to take necessary precautions as dust particles may affect people with respiratory problems. Strong winds may precede thunderstorms, so securing loose objects and avoiding travel during heavy rain is recommended.