The Concerned Citizens Network for Democracy (CCND) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly to reinstate all suspended lawmakers or face legal action aimed at halting monthly federal allocations to the two states.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by its Secretary-General, Moses Adamu, the group accused the two state governments of presiding over an ongoing constitutional violation.
It noted that both Assemblies currently lack the legal quorum required to conduct legislative business, including passing appropriation laws.
CCND threatened to approach the Federal High Court to seek an order compelling the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to suspend FAAC disbursements to both states until constitutional order is restored.
“This is not merely an internal legislative issue—it is a direct assault on democratic institutions,” Adamu said. “Governors, in collaboration with the Speakers, are running their states without the minimum legislative legitimacy required by law. It is a rape of democracy.”
The group noted that nearly half of the lawmakers in both states have been unlawfully suspended, leaving the remaining members unable to form the constitutionally required two-thirds quorum. Despite this, the minority legislators continue to meet, debate, and pass critical resolutions, including those related to state budgets.
CCND called on relevant authorities to act swiftly to uphold the rule of law and prevent further erosion of democratic governance in the affected states.
“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.
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“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.
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.”
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 constituency project transparency.
“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 said 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.