Eight Defected Lawmakers Were Suspended Long Before Defection — Zamfara Speaker

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 Assembly long before their purported defection.

Moriki said the lawmakers were suspended on February 26, 2024, over allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House and violation of the Assembly’s Standing Orders.

According to the Speaker, the allegations went beyond procedural breaches, as the affected lawmakers were accused of forcibly gaining access to parts of the Assembly complex, damaging public property and convening what the House described as an unauthorised sitting.

The lawmakers were also accused of allegedly breaking into the offices of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms, forcing their way into the legislative chamber and damaging Assembly property before proceeding with the purported sitting.

The Speaker said the allegations subsequently resulted in a criminal complaint being instituted against the affected lawmakers before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Reacting to their recent defection, Moriki said the political development should not be presented as the cause of their suspension, stressing that the disciplinary action substantially predates their change of political affiliation.

He said:

«“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.”»

Moriki further disclosed that on May 13, 2026, the House approved the extension of the lawmakers’ suspension for another legislative session, citing unresolved disciplinary matters and alleged violations of House rules.

He noted that two other lawmakers who had previously been suspended were later reinstated after tendering apologies to the House, arguing that the development demonstrated that the disciplinary process was not based on political affiliation.

The Speaker also dismissed claims that the Assembly lacks the capacity to perform its legislative functions, saying the House currently has 16 active members.

According to him, the Assembly continues to conduct its proceedings in line 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,” he said.

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

He stressed that changing political platforms does not automatically terminate legislative disciplinary proceedings or pending legal matters arising from alleged misconduct.

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