House powerplay: Reps shake up committees after governors reject summons

DDM News

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has reshuffled committee leadership roles in the lower chamber.

Digital Diaspora Media (DDM) reports that the changes were announced during Wednesday’s plenary session of the House of Representatives.

Mike Etaba, representing Obubra/Etung in Cross River, was removed as chairman of the public petitions committee.

Etaba has now been reassigned to head the environment committee, a less controversial role.

His former position will be taken by Bitrus Laori, who represents Adamawa.

Laori previously chaired the committee on cooperation and integration in Africa.

Billy Osawaru from Edo State now replaces Laori as chairman of that committee.

Osawaru formerly served as deputy chairman of the poverty alleviation committee.

While described as minor, the reshuffle comes after controversial moves by the public petitions committee.

Under Etaba, the committee summoned Governors Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal of Benue and Zamfara States respectively.

The summons followed a petition from the civil society group Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law.

The petition raised concerns over legislative crises within the two state assemblies.

The committee also invited the leadership of both assemblies for a hearing scheduled on May 8.

The aim was to determine if the House should take over legislative duties in the states.

Such a takeover is permitted under the constitution during legislative collapse.

However, both governors rejected the summons from the federal House.

They argued that the National Assembly has no authority to summon state executives.

They described the move as unconstitutional and an abuse of federal power.

Several civil society organisations backed the governors’ stance.

They pointed out that governors enjoy constitutional immunity from such summons.

They also noted that accountability structures at the state level are clearly defined.

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria also opposed the federal summons.

Its chairman, Adebo Ogundoyin, said the House exceeded its powers.

He argued that Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution limit federal oversight to federal matters.

Ogundoyin stated that state assemblies are independent under the Nigerian Constitution.

He warned that interference threatens the nation’s federal structure and legislative harmony.

The timing of Etaba’s removal has raised eyebrows among political observers.

Some believe the reshuffle is linked to the committee’s recent confrontational posture.

The Speaker’s office has not explained if the leadership change was connected to the controversy.

Critics see the move as an attempt to silence assertive lawmakers.

Others say it may be aimed at easing federal-state tensions.

Supporters argue it is a routine reshuffle with no political undertones.

Still, the issue has ignited national debate over the limits of legislative power.

It remains unclear whether the May 8 hearing will go ahead as planned.

Laori’s approach to the matter is yet to be seen.

This saga has revived discussions on the balance between federal authority and state independence.

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