The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, has addressed the recent defection of eight lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to Moriki, these lawmakers were suspended from the House since February 26, 2024, over allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House, and convening an illegal sitting.
The allegations against the lawmakers include acts bordering on burglary, forcible entry, and destruction of public property. They were accused of breaking into the offices of the Clerk and the Sergeant-at-Arms, forcibly gaining access to the legislative chamber, damaging Assembly property, and subsequently convening an unauthorised sitting. A criminal complaint was instituted against the suspended lawmakers before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Moriki described the defection as an attempt by the suspended members to divert public attention from the disciplinary issues surrounding their suspension and create an erroneous impression of instability within the Assembly. He emphasised that the Zamfara State House of Assembly is stable, functional, and fully engaged in its constitutional responsibilities.
The Speaker explained that the suspension of the lawmakers was not a consequence of their present political decision but substantially predates their purported defection and arose from disciplinary matters within the Assembly. On May 13, 2026, the House approved an extension of the suspension for another legislative session due to unresolved disciplinary issues and violations of House rules.
Two other lawmakers who had earlier been suspended subsequently tendered apologies to the House and were reinstated, demonstrating 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.
The House currently has 16 active members and continues to conduct its proceedings in accordance with the Constitution and its Standing Orders. The Speaker noted that the House held its plenary last Tuesday and is scheduled to reconvene, adding that there is no basis for portraying the Zamfara State House of Assembly as being in disarray.
Moriki urged the public to distinguish between the political choices of the suspended lawmakers and the longstanding disciplinary proceedings against them. The Zamfara State House of Assembly is set to continue its legislative business, with the Speaker assuring that the House is functional and committed to its constitutional responsibilities.
Key points
- The 8 APC lawmakers who defected were suspended in February 2024 over gross misconduct and other allegations.
- The Zamfara State House of Assembly is stable and functional, with 16 active members conducting legislative business in accordance with the Constitution.
- The suspension of the lawmakers predates their purported defection and was a result of disciplinary matters within the Assembly.
