Zamfara Speaker: Suspended Lawmakers Can't Use Defection to Distract from Misconduct

The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, has said that the eight lawmakers who recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) had already been suspended before they announced their defection.

Moriki explained that these lawmakers were suspended on 26 February 2024. They faced serious claims of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House, and holding an illegal sitting against the Assembly's rules. The House said their actions were not just simple mistakes.

The suspended lawmakers were accused of serious crimes like burglary, forcing their way into offices, and damaging public property. They allegedly broke into the Clerk's and the Sergeant-at-Arms' offices, entered the Legislative Chamber without permission, and caused damage to Assembly property. After that, they held an unauthorized meeting.

The gravity of these claims led to the filing of a criminal complaint against the suspended lawmakers in a proper court.

Commenting on their recent defection, Moriki called it a way for the suspended members to shift public focus from their serious misconduct and to wrongly suggest that there is chaos in 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."

Moriki added, “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 unauthorized legislative sitting.”

He noted that their suspension was not related to their current political choice. It happened long before their defection and was due to serious disciplinary issues within the Assembly.

The Speaker also mentioned that on 13 May 2026, the House decided to extend the suspension for another legislative session because the disciplinary issues and violations of House rules were still unresolved.

He pointed out that two other lawmakers who were previously suspended apologized to the House and were allowed back, showing that the disciplinary actions were not politically motivated or aimed at any party.

Moriki rejected claims that the Assembly cannot carry out its legislative duties. He emphasized that the House has 16 active members and continues to work according to the Constitution and the Assembly's rules.

The House had its plenary session last Tuesday and is set to meet again tomorrow, Monday. Moriki stated, “There is therefore no basis whatsoever for portraying the Zamfara State House of Assembly as being in disarray.”

He called on the public to see the difference between the political actions of the suspended lawmakers and the ongoing disciplinary issues they face. He stressed that changing political parties does not erase or cancel the issues of legislative discipline or any legal cases linked to their misconduct.

The Speaker reaffirmed the commitment of the Assembly’s leadership and members to uphold the law, maintain legislative integrity, and protect public institutions and properties.