Zamfara Assembly Speaker Addresses Lawmakers' Defection

Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, clarified that eight lawmakers who recently announced their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) were already suspended as of February 26, 2024, due to allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House, and violations of the Assembly’s Standing Orders. Moriki stated that the lawmakers were accused of forcefully entering Assembly offices, unauthorized access to the legislative chamber, damaging public property, and holding an unauthorized sitting, which led to a criminal complaint against them.

He asserted that their defection should not be seen as a sign of instability within the Assembly, which remains functional with 16 active lawmakers. The Assembly had extended the suspension of the lawmakers on May 13, 2026, due to unresolved disciplinary issues.

Moriki emphasized that the Assembly continues to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and that the suspension was not politically motivated.