As the National Assembly resumes today after a long recess, a heated disagreement has erupted between the House of Representatives and the Benue State Government regarding the recent surge in killings in the state.

Governor Hyacinth Alia has been at the center of the controversy, with the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese, blaming him for the escalating violence. Agbese argued that the governor’s decision to abandon the state’s anti-open grazing law contributed to the rise in killings.

In retaliation, Governor Alia criticized Agbese, accusing him of being uninformed about how laws are suspended within state legislatures.

The past three weeks have seen violent attacks in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, which have claimed at least 56 lives. Governor Alia recently called for federal intervention to address the growing insecurity in the state.

It’s also important to note that the National Assembly had initially planned to resume on April 29, 2025, after a break for Eid-el-Fitr and Easter celebrations. However, the Workers’ Day celebration on May 1 caused a one-week delay in their return.

Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, emphasized that the House leadership remains firm in its commitment to speak out against all forms of criminality, especially the senseless killings of innocent Nigerians and the destruction of their property.

He further stated that the House is determined to address these issues and hold those responsible accountable.

This statement came after a violent campaign by bandits during the legislative break, which saw innocent lives lost in Plateau, Benue, and Zamfara States. The attacks sparked widespread calls for President Bola Tinubu to cut short his vacation in France and return to the country to lead the fight against insecurity directly.

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 praised the leadership of the House, highlighting that since their inauguration in June 2023, Speaker Abbas has consistently prioritized the welfare of Nigerians.

He further emphasized that, as members of parliament, they are committed to fulfilling the high expectations of the Nigerian people and cannot afford to disappoint them. Agbese stressed that it is their duty to speak out whenever things are not going well.

Mr. Agbese urged Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara to adhere to the House Committee on Public Petitions' request and appear as instructed. The committee, led by Chairman Mike Etaba, had summoned the governors and the leadership of their state assemblies to attend the session on Thursday, May 8, and clarify why their duties should not be assumed by the House of Representatives.

“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.