Ten suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have appealed to the National Assembly to intervene in what they described as their “illegal” suspension.
The lawmakers, who include members of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), were suspended nearly a year ago over allegations of misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, and holding an illegal sitting.
Out of 24 lawmakers, only 14, led by Speaker Bilyaminu Moriki, are conducting legislative business due to the suspension of the 10 legislators.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Nasiru Abdullahi Maru, the lawmaker representing Maru North constituency, argued that many decisions made by the 14 lawmakers are null and void because certain legislative matters require a two-thirds majority vote.
The lawmaker accused Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal of orchestrating their suspension because they refused to serve as “rubber stamps.”
“We are fully behind the last press release issued by Honourable Kagara and wish to add that the eight of us here have been under undue and illegal suspension by the assembly just because we have all along refused to dance to their tunes and serve as rubber stamps for the executive,” he said.
“The assembly leadership also needs to explain to the electorate how many times they sat to take public interest decisions in the House of Assembly, which has been moving from one place to another, only coming together on short notice to meet in secretive manners and take the bidding of their master, who has since turned them into rubber stamps that are only convenient to some members.”
“Similarly, any member found in violation of the House Standing Rules must be given a fair hearing before any action is taken, not the blindfolded actions of those members who think their uniformed act will hold water.”
“We wish to call on the National Assembly, security agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to call the Zamfara State House of Assembly to order, as well as caution the state legislature over this matter, which may lead to taking them to court with claims of damages.”
