The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, says eight lawmakers who recently announced their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been suspended from the House long before their decision to change political allegiance.
Mr Moriki said the lawmakers were suspended on 26 February 2024 over allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House and convening an unauthorised sitting in breach of the Assembly’s Standing Orders.
According to the Speaker, the allegations went beyond procedural disagreements and included claims that the lawmakers forcibly entered the offices of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms, gained unauthorised access to the legislative chamber and damaged public property before holding an illegal sitting.
A criminal complaint was subsequently filed against the lawmakers, he added.
The Speaker’s comments came after eight suspended lawmakers announced their defection from the APC, citing concerns including insecurity and what they described as inadequate attention to the welfare of people in the state. One of the lawmakers also alleged that they had gone for months without receiving salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
Mr Moriki rejected suggestions that the defections were responsible for the lawmakers’ suspension, insisting that the disciplinary action substantially predated their political move.
He said the House had also approved an extension of their suspension on 13 May 2026 because the disciplinary issues remained unresolved.
The Speaker further dismissed claims that the Assembly was in disarray, saying it currently had 16 active members and continued to perform its constitutional responsibilities.
He urged the public to distinguish between the lawmakers’ political decisions and the disciplinary proceedings against them, arguing that changing political parties did not automatically invalidate pending legislative or legal matters.
The latest dispute adds to continuing tensions within Zamfara’s political landscape, following a series of defections and disagreements among state lawmakers.
