Rt. Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, has pointed out that the eight legislators who recently declared their departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) had already been placed on suspension by the House long before they announced their defection.
The Speaker stated that the lawmakers were suspended on 26 February 2024 following allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House, and convening an illegal sitting in violation of the Standing Orders of the Assembly.
According to the House, the misconduct went beyond procedural infractions.
The affected lawmakers were accused of acts bordering on burglary, forcible entry, and destruction of public property, including allegedly breaking into the offices of the Clerk and the Sergeant-at-Arms, forcibly gaining access to the Legislative Chamber, damaging Assembly property, and thereafter convening an unauthorised sitting.
The seriousness of the allegations subsequently led to the institution of a criminal complaint against the suspended lawmakers before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Reacting to their purported defection, Rt. Hon. Moriki described the development as an attempt by the suspended members to divert public attention from the substantive disciplinary issues surrounding their suspension and to create an erroneous impression of instability within the Assembly.
He said, “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.
“These members were suspended for alleged gross misconduct and serious violations of the Standing Orders of the House, including allegations bordering on forceful entry into offices of the Assembly, destruction of public property and the convening of an unauthorised legislative sitting.
“Their suspension was therefore not a consequence of their present political decision. It substantially predates their purported defection and arose from disciplinary matters within the Assembly.”
The Speaker further explained that on 13 May 2026, the House approved extending the suspension for another legislative session due to unresolved disciplinary issues and violations of House rules.
He noted that two other lawmakers who had earlier been suspended subsequently tendered apologies to the House and were reinstated, demonstrating that the disciplinary measures were neither politically motivated nor targeted at any political affiliation.
Rt. Hon. Moriki also dismissed suggestions that the Assembly lacked the capacity to conduct legislative business, stressing that the House currently has 16 active members and continues to conduct its proceedings in accordance with the Constitution and its 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,” the Speaker said.
He urged the public to distinguish between the political choices of the suspended lawmakers and the longstanding disciplinary proceedings against them, stressing that a change of political platform does not extinguish or invalidate matters of legislative discipline or pending legal proceedings arising from alleged misconduct.
The Speaker reaffirmed the commitment of the leadership and members of the Assembly to the rule of law, legislative integrity and the protection of public institutions and property.
What You Should Know
This development sheds light on an ongoing political and disciplinary feud within the Zamfara State House of Assembly, clarifying that the recent political defection by some lawmakers is separate from their earlier disciplinary suspensions.
- Positive Impact: Provides transparency and clarifies the operational status of the state legislature, ensuring the public understands that legislative business continues without disruption.
- Potential Concerns: Highlights lingering political tensions and legal disputes between lawmakers, which could temporarily distract from governance and local policy implementation.
