Zamfara Speaker: 8 Defectors Were Already Suspended

The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, has said the eight lawmakers who recently announced their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been suspended from the Assembly since February 2024.

Moriki, in a statement, said the lawmakers were suspended on February 26, 2024, over allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House and convening an illegal sitting in violation of the Assembly’s Standing Orders.

According to the Speaker, the allegations also included claims that the lawmakers broke into the offices of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms, forcibly accessed the legislative chamber, damaged public property and subsequently convened an unauthorised sitting.

He said the allegations were considered serious enough to result in a criminal complaint being filed against the suspended lawmakers before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Reacting to their recent defection, Moriki said the development should not be interpreted as evidence of instability within the Assembly, arguing that the disciplinary action against the lawmakers substantially predated their political decision.

“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 said.

Moriki further disclosed that the Assembly, on May 13, 2026, approved the extension of the lawmakers’ suspension for another legislative session because the disciplinary issues remained unresolved.

He noted that two other lawmakers who had previously been suspended were later reinstated after tendering apologies to the House, stressing that the disciplinary process was not targeted at any political party or affiliation.

The Speaker also dismissed claims that the Assembly was unable to function, saying 16 active members currently participate in legislative proceedings.

“The Zamfara State House of Assembly is stable, functional and fully engaged in its constitutional responsibilities,” he said.

Moriki added that the Assembly held its plenary session last Tuesday and was scheduled to reconvene on Monday, maintaining that there was no basis for portraying the legislature as being in disarray.

He urged the public to distinguish between the lawmakers’ political decisions and the disciplinary proceedings against them, stressing that a change of political platform does not automatically terminate pending legislative disciplinary matters or legal proceedings.

The Speaker reaffirmed the commitment of the Assembly to the rule of law, legislative integrity and the protection of public institutions and property.