The Nigerian House of Representatives has expressed growing concerns over the National Identity Management Commission’s Director-General failing to honor multiple legislative summons regarding critical national identity issues.
Despite three official invitations from the House Committee on Population, the NIMC chief has neither appeared before lawmakers nor provided requested documents about the commission’s operations. This unprecedented defiance has sparked constitutional debates about legislative oversight powers versus executive independence of government agencies.
Lawmakers Consider Contempt Proceedings as Last Resort
The House Committee on Legislative Compliance has begun exploring options to enforce compliance, including issuing a warrant of arrest against the NIMC leadership.
Committee chairman Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim revealed they’ve exhausted diplomatic channels and may invoke Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution which empowers the National Assembly to compel attendance.
Security sources indicate the Sergeant-at-Arms has been placed on standby to execute any arrest warrant, though some lawmakers advocate for further dialogue to resolve the impasse.
National Identity Crisis at Stake in Standoff
At the heart of the summons are allegations of mismanagement in Nigeria’s national identity database enrollment process, with over 100 million Nigerians still lacking National Identification Numbers.
The House seeks explanations for reported breaches in the NIMC system, delayed NIN issuance, and alleged contract irregularities in the commission’s digital infrastructure projects.
Civil society groups have backed the legislature’s efforts, arguing the identity crisis affects everything from SIM registration to voter authentication and social service delivery.
Presidency Maintains Silence as Constitutional Crisis Brews
The Presidency has remained conspicuously silent on the standoff, despite the NIMC being an agency under the federal government. Political analysts suggest this may indicate tacit support for the commission’s defiance or internal divisions within the administration.
The Attorney General’s office has reportedly been consulted on the legal ramifications of arresting a sitting chief executive of a federal agency, with some Justice Ministry officials privately warning against setting a dangerous precedent.
NIMC’s Defense and Public Backlash
The commission’s spokesperson issued a statement claiming the DG’s absence was due to “official engagements of national importance” but failed to specify these engagements. This explanation has drawn widespread criticism, with the Nigerian Bar Association describing it as “contemptuous of democratic institutions.”
Meanwhile, thousands of frustrated Nigerians have taken to social media using #ArrestNIMCBoss to share their NIN registration ordeal stories, further pressuring lawmakers to take decisive action.
Historical Precedents and Way Forward
This standoff recalls similar confrontations between the legislature and executive agencies, including the 2018 faceoff with the then-SEC DG. Constitutional lawyers are divided on whether the House should escalate to arrest or seek judicial resolution.
As the 9th Assembly winds down, political observers warn this impasse could either cement or erode legislative authority over MDAs, setting important precedents for Nigeria’s democratic development. The House has scheduled an emergency session next week to decide next steps.
