By: John Bassey, Gusau.

The Honourable Speaker, Zamfara state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Isma’ila Zannan Moriki has explained reasons for the recent defection of the Lawmakers who decamped from All Progressive Congress, APC to Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, during the previous weekend. Stating that, they were suspended since February 2024 over gross misconduct against the constituted authority of the House.

The Speaker disclosed this on Monday during a media session with Journalists and social media operators at his office in Gusau the state capital.

In his words, the Speaker said, it could be recalled that, the said members were suspended on 26th February 2024 following allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House, and convening an illegal sitting which violates the Standing Orders of the Assembly.

These lawmakers were accused of acts bordering on burglary, forcible entry, and destruction of public property, including allegedly breaking into the offices of the Clerk and the Sergeant-at-Arms, damaging Assembly property, and gaining access to the Chamber, and thereafter convening an unlawful sitting.

The gravity of these allegations and other matters connected to, have subsequently led to the institution of criminal complaint against the suspended lawmakers before a court of competent jurisdiction.

On the recent defection by these members, I want to inform you that is just a calculated attempt to divert public attention from the substantive disciplinary issues surrounding their suspension and their ill-mission to create an erroneous impression of instability within the Assembly.

On that note, I want to assure you and the general public especially our teaming supporters that, the State Assembly is stable, functional and fully engaged in its constitutional responsibilities. The purported defection of members who have remained under suspension cannot serve as an evidence of disarray within the House.

“Their suspension was therefore not a consequence of their present political decision. It predates their purported defection arosed from disciplinary matters within the context of our legislative procedures.”

Let me further state categorically and remind you that, on 13th May 2026, the House approved the extension of their suspension for another legislative session due to unresolved disciplinary issues attached to their actions that grossly violates the House rules.

Let me use this medium to inform you that, two other lawmakers who were earlier been suspended have subsequently tendered their apologies to the House and were instantly reinstated, this demonstrate that the disciplinary measures taken were neither politically motivated nor targeted at any member or his political affiliation but an action to ensure strict adherence to the rule of law by the House.

Now the House is intact and we continued to conduct our proceedings and other legislative functions accordingly. We have held plenary last Tuesday and today Monday 5th October, 2026 and scheduled to re-convene tomorrow Tuesday for another session. Therefore there are no basis whatsoever for portraying the Zamfara State House of Assembly as being in disarray as alleged by the suspended lawmakers.

I therefore on behalf of the distinguished Hon. Members call on the general public to distinguish between the political choices of the suspended lawmakers and the longstanding disciplinary actions against them. Change of political platform does not invalidate matters of legislative discipline or pending legal proceedings arising from their alleged misconduct.

I will like to reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law, legislative integrity and the protection of public lives and institutions as well as our undisputable support to the policies and development programs of Governor Dauda Lawal.
I will further wish to use this medium to inform you that, in our sitting today, the House has passed a resolution on constitutional alterations as transmitted from the National Assembly on the establishment of the State Police.

This would complement the efforts of Mr. President and Governor Dauda Lawal in addressing the insecurity related issues in the State and our dear country Nigeria.