Crisis has engulfed the Zamfara Assembly with the suspension of 16 members by the Speaker of the House, Bilyaminu Moriki, and six other members, for threatening to impeach the number person of the House last Thursday.
Seven of he the 14 local government areas in Zamfara State, including Zurmi, Maradun, Talata Mafara, Gusau, Kaura Namoda, Bungudu, Chafe, Maru, Anka, Bukkuyum, Gummi, Bakura, Birin Magaji/Kiyaw and Shinkafi, have two members each.
The Speaker is alleged to have stayed outside the state for longer than necessary amidst insecurity, which led the 16 members, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), to appoint the Deputy Speaker as Speaker Pro-Tempo.
Recently, the state governor, Dauda Lawal said it is time to keep politics aside and come together with his predecessor for the development of the state.
“People are saying if we are truly willing to work with together, then politics should be kept aside,” Lawal said.
“I am the governor, I have power. But like you all know, a governor does not have control over the police or military, they are all under the federal government.
The 16 members under the leadership of a ‘Speaker Pro-Tempo’, had last Thursday evening, suspended Moriki over his reported long absence from the state amidst bandits attacks across the state.
However, the seven members, led by Moriki on Monday, suspended the 16 lawmakers, accusing them of breaking into the offices of the Clerk of the House and Sergeant-at-Arms.
ALSO READ: Group raises alarm over escalating humanitarian crisis in Niger
ALSO READ: PETA continues push for nationwide ban on donkey slaughter in Nigeria
In their separate presentations at Monday’s sitting, the seven members also accused some top politicians outside the state of sponsoring the 16 lawmakers to disrupt the Government of Governor Dauda Lawal.
They called on the constituents of the affected lawmakers and all residents to disregard the news making the round that the speaker had been suspended.
The chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee and a minority member called for through investigation on the matter before any action is taken.
