They Were Already Suspended — Zamfara Speaker Reacts To Eight Lawmakers’ APC Exit

The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, has said the eight lawmakers who recently announced their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) were already under suspension before their reported exit from the party.

Moriki explained that the lawmakers were suspended on February 26, 2024, following allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House and violations of the Assembly’s Standing Orders.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the Speaker said the allegations included the lawmakers allegedly forcing their way into the offices of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms, gaining unauthorised access to the legislative chamber, damaging public property and conducting a sitting without approval.

He disclosed that the allegations resulted in a criminal complaint being filed against the affected lawmakers before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Reacting to their reported defection from the APC, Moriki said the development should not be interpreted as evidence of division or instability within the Assembly, stressing that the lawmakers’ suspension predated their political decision.

He described the defection announcement as an attempt to divert public attention from the disciplinary proceedings and legal matters involving the suspended lawmakers.

“The Zamfara State House of Assembly is stable, functional and fully engaged in its constitutional responsibilities,” the Speaker said, maintaining that the purported defection of lawmakers who remained suspended could not be presented as evidence of disorder in the House.

Moriki further disclosed that the Assembly, on May 13, 2026, approved an extension of the lawmakers’ suspension for another legislative session because the disciplinary matters had yet to be resolved.

He noted that the House had previously reinstated two other suspended lawmakers after they apologised for their conduct, arguing that the action demonstrated that the disciplinary process was not politically motivated.

The Speaker also rejected claims that the Assembly lacked the required number of lawmakers to conduct legislative business.

According to him, 16 lawmakers remain active members of the House and legislative activities have continued in accordance with the Constitution and the Assembly’s Standing Orders.

Moriki said the House held plenary on Tuesday and was scheduled to reconvene on Monday, insisting that there was no justification for portraying the Assembly as being in disarray.

He urged members of the public to distinguish between the affected lawmakers’ political decisions and the disciplinary proceedings that began before their reported defection from the APC.

The Speaker stressed that changing political parties could not invalidate disciplinary proceedings or ongoing legal cases arising from alleged misconduct within the Assembly.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Zamfara State House of Assembly to upholding the rule of law, protecting legislative integrity and safeguarding public institutions and property.