Zamfara Lawmakers Suspended Before Defection — Speaker

The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, has said the eight lawmakers who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress were suspended before their decision to leave the party.

Moriki said the lawmakers were suspended on February 26, 2024, over allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House and holding an unauthorised sitting.

According to a statement issued by the Speaker, the lawmakers were also accused of violating the Assembly’s Standing Orders by breaking into the offices of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms, forcibly entering the legislative chamber and damaging public property before conducting the unauthorised sitting.

The allegations led to a criminal complaint against the affected lawmakers before a court of competent jurisdiction, according to the Speaker.

Speaker links suspension to disciplinary issues

Reacting to their reported defection, Moriki described the development as an attempt to divert public attention from the disciplinary proceedings against the lawmakers and create the impression that the Assembly was unstable.

He maintained that the suspension was unrelated to their recent political decision, saying it resulted from alleged violations of House rules and other disciplinary matters.

The Speaker added that the Assembly, on May 13, 2026, approved an extension of the lawmakers’ suspension for another legislative session because the disciplinary issues remained unresolved.

Moriki also cited the reinstatement of two other previously suspended lawmakers after they apologised to the House as evidence that the disciplinary measures were not politically motivated.

Zamfara Assembly Denies Being in Disarray

The Speaker dismissed suggestions that the Assembly was unable to perform its legislative duties, saying the House currently has 16 active members and continues to conduct proceedings in accordance with the Constitution and its Standing Orders.

He said the Assembly held plenary last Tuesday and was scheduled to reconvene on Monday, October 5, 2026.

Moriki urged the public to distinguish between the suspended lawmakers’ political decisions and the disciplinary proceedings against them.

He added that changing political parties did not automatically invalidate pending legislative or legal matters.

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