The Concerned Citizens Network for Democracy (CCND) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly, demanding the immediate recall of suspended lawmakers. Failure to comply, the group warned, would prompt legal action aimed at suspending statutory monthly allocations to both states.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by its Secretary-General, Moses Adamu, the CCND accused the state governments of enabling a constitutional violation. The group noted that both Houses of Assembly no longer meet the quorum required to operate or pass appropriation bills.
The group threatened to file a suit at the Federal High Court to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold monthly FAAC disbursements until constitutional order is restored.
“This is not just an internal matter within the legislature of two states. It is a clear case of abuse of democratic institutions, where state governors, in collaboration with the speakers, are running their states without the minimum legislative legitimacy required by law. It is a rape of democracy,” Adamu said.
According to CCND, both Benue and Zamfara Assemblies have unlawfully suspended nearly half of their members, leaving behind insufficient numbers to meet the constitutionally stipulated two-thirds quorum. Yet, these minority legislators continue to sit, deliberate, and pass critical motions, including budget-related matters.
“No House of Assembly can validly function, debate, or legislate without a legal quorum. When the majority of duly elected lawmakers are suspended under questionable circumstances, the assembly ceases to be legitimate. This undermines every law, appropriation, and oversight action carried out by the remaining minority members.”
He added that the direct consequence of this illegality is that both governors, Hyacinth Alia of Benue and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, are currently running governments that no longer have the endorsement of their state assemblies as constituted by law.
“Without a legally constituted assembly, any action taken by the executive lacks the moral and legal seal of the people. These governors are not kings. They are elected heads of government, expected to govern with legislative oversight and institutional balance,” he added.
Allegations of Intimidation, Suppression of Dissenting Lawmakers
CCND argued that the only peaceful and constitutional means to correct the ongoing abuse is to apply financial pressure by halting monthly allocations until the crisis is resolved.
“Public funds are being released to state executives who are acting outside of constitutional provisions. The CBN and the Accountant General of the Federation must not continue to fund illegality. By continuing to disburse FAAC allocations to Benue and Zamfara states, federal institutions are aiding and abetting constitutional violations,” the statement added.
The group likened the current situation to a private company operating without a functioning board of directors, stating that no legitimate financial institution would continue to release money in such circumstances.
“The state Houses of Assembly are the people’s boardrooms. You cannot suspend half the directors and claim to be conducting lawful business.”
Critics Targeted Over Security, Budget, and Transparency Issues
Beyond the technical breach, the group raised concerns over the pattern of political intimidation behind the suspensions. In both states, suspended lawmakers are known critics of the executive arm, and many were removed after raising concerns about security, budget implementation, and transparency in constituency projects.
“This is not about disorderly conduct or gross misconduct as the speakers claim. This is about silencing opposition, clearing the path for unchecked control, and removing voices that demand transparency. It is dictatorship in democratic clothing,” the group said.
Adamu added that the CCND had credible information that some of the suspended lawmakers in Benue were denied access to the assembly complex and had their benefits frozen without due process.
The group warned that the failure of civil society, federal institutions, and the judiciary to respond firmly to the situation could set a dangerous precedent where governors, in collaboration with pliant speakers, cripple state assemblies and rule without accountability.
“If this pattern continues unchecked, governors across the country will see it as a playbook: suspend dissenters, shrink the assembly, rule without scrutiny, and get paid for it. Nigeria’s democracy is too fragile to permit such a loophole,” the statement read.
The CCND said it is giving the governments of Benue and Zamfara three days to recall all suspended members and reinstate the constitutional balance of their assemblies.
“If by the end of 72 hours there is no concrete step to resolve this, our lawyers will file a suit asking the Federal High Court to declare the current assemblies illegal and compel the federal government to freeze statutory allocations until due process is restored,” Adamu concluded.
