The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, has dismissed reports suggesting that the recent defection of eight lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown the Assembly into crisis.
Moriki said the affected lawmakers had been suspended since February 26, 2024, following allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House and violation of the Assembly’s Standing Orders.
According to the Speaker, the allegations included forcibly gaining access to the offices of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms, breaking into the Legislative Chamber, damaging public property and subsequently convening an unauthorised sitting.
He said the alleged infractions were serious enough to prompt the institution of a criminal complaint against the suspended lawmakers before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Moriki described their recent defection as an attempt to divert public attention from the disciplinary issues that led to their suspension and create the impression that the Assembly was divided.
“The Zamfara State House of Assembly is stable, functional and fully engaged in its constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
“These members were suspended for alleged gross misconduct and serious violations of the Standing Orders of the House. Their suspension therefore substantially predates their purported defection and arose from disciplinary matters within the Assembly.”
The Speaker said the House, on May 13, 2026, approved the extension of the lawmakers’ suspension for another legislative session because the disciplinary issues remained unresolved.
He added that two other lawmakers who had previously been suspended were later reinstated after tendering apologies to the House, arguing that the process demonstrated that the disciplinary measures were not politically motivated.
Moriki also rejected claims that the Assembly lacked the capacity to conduct legislative business, saying 16 active members were currently performing their legislative duties.
“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,” he said.
He urged the public to distinguish between the lawmakers’ political decisions and the disciplinary proceedings against them, stressing that defection to another political party did not terminate legislative disciplinary processes or pending legal proceedings arising from alleged misconduct.
The Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to the rule of law, legislative integrity and the protection of public institutions and property.
