The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, has clarified that the eight lawmakers who recently announced their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been suspended from the House long before their purported defection.
Moriki said the lawmakers were suspended on February 26, 2024, following 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 went beyond procedural infractions, as the affected lawmakers were accused of acts bordering on burglary, forcible entry and destruction of public property.
He said they allegedly broke into the offices of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms, forcibly gained access to the Legislative Chamber, damaged Assembly property and subsequently convened an unauthorised sitting.
The Speaker added that the seriousness of the allegations led to the institution of a criminal complaint against the suspended lawmakers before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Reacting to their purported defection, Moriki described the development as an attempt by the suspended lawmakers to divert public attention from the substantive disciplinary issues surrounding their suspension and create an erroneous impression of instability within the Assembly.
“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,” he said.
The Speaker further disclosed that on May 13, 2026, the House approved the extension of the lawmakers’ 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, according to him, that the disciplinary measures were neither politically motivated nor targeted at any political affiliation.
Moriki also dismissed suggestions that the Assembly lacked the capacity to conduct legislative business, saying 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 tomorrow, 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.
The Speaker stressed that a change of political platform does not extinguish or invalidate matters of legislative discipline or pending legal proceedings arising from alleged misconduct.
Moriki 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.
