Zamfara Speaker Explains Status of Eight Lawmakers Who Left APC

The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, has clarified the status of eight lawmakers who recently announced their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Moriki said the lawmakers were already suspended by the Assembly before they announced their decision to leave the APC, stressing that their suspension was not connected to their recent political move.

According to the Speaker, the eight lawmakers were suspended on February 26, 2024, following allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House and violation of the Assembly’s Standing Orders.

He explained that the allegations against the lawmakers included allegedly forcing their way into the offices of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms, gaining unauthorised access to the legislative chamber, damaging public property and conducting a sitting that was not authorised by the House.

Moriki said the matter subsequently resulted in a criminal complaint being filed against the affected lawmakers before a competent court.

The Speaker said the disciplinary action against the lawmakers substantially predated their reported defection and was the result of internal legislative matters.

“The Zamfara State House of Assembly is stable, functional and fully engaged in its constitutional responsibilities. The purported defection of members who have remained under suspension cannot be presented as evidence of disarray in the House,” Moriki said.

He added that the affected lawmakers were suspended over alleged serious violations of the Assembly’s rules, including allegations relating to forceful entry into offices, destruction of public property and the convening of an unauthorised legislative sitting.

Moriki further disclosed that the Assembly, on May 13, 2026, extended the suspension of the lawmakers for another legislative session because the disciplinary matters had not been resolved.

He noted that the House had previously reinstated two other suspended lawmakers after they apologised for their conduct.

According to him, the reinstatement of the two lawmakers showed that the disciplinary measures were not politically motivated and could be reversed when the issues leading to the suspension were properly addressed.

The Speaker also rejected claims that the Assembly no longer had enough lawmakers to conduct legislative business.

He said 16 lawmakers remain active in the House and that plenary sessions and other legislative activities have continued in accordance with the Constitution and the Assembly’s Standing Orders.

“The House held its plenary last Tuesday and is scheduled to reconvene on Monday. There is therefore no basis whatsoever for portraying the Zamfara State House of Assembly as being in disarray,” he stated.

Moriki urged members of the public to distinguish between the lawmakers’ political decisions and the disciplinary proceedings that began more than two years before their reported defection.

He stressed that changing political parties could not automatically invalidate disciplinary proceedings or pending court cases arising from alleged misconduct within the Assembly.

The Speaker reaffirmed the commitment of the Zamfara State House of Assembly to the rule of law, legislative discipline, institutional integrity and the protection of public property.

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