A new political rift has emerged in Zamfara State as a group of lawmakers form a parallel State House of Assembly, challenging t...
A new political rift has emerged in Zamfara State as a group of lawmakers form a parallel State House of Assembly, challenging the authority of the current state leadership.
The ten lawmakers, reportedly suspended by the impeached Speaker, Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, over their vocal criticism of the state’s deteriorating security situation, have declared the suspension as "illegal, misleading, and unfounded." They questioned the legitimacy of an impeached speaker—removed by 18 out of 24 members—suspending others from the Assembly.
The lawmakers reaffirmed their support for Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi as the legitimate Speaker, citing the collective decision made by the House last year to impeach Moriki over allegations of high-handedness and misconduct.
During their sitting in Gusau on Wednesday, the faction, led by Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi (representing Gummi 1 Constituency), deliberated for over two hours and issued a one-month ultimatum to Governor Dauda Lawal. They demanded that he address the ongoing issues of armed banditry, kidnapping, and general insecurity plaguing the state.
The lawmakers, drawn from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned the state government for what they described as complacency in the face of widespread insecurity. They criticized Governor Dauda for prioritizing what they called “trivial matters” while ignoring the pressing needs of poverty-stricken and terrorized communities across the 14 local government areas.
They further accused the governor of failing to support victims of bandit attacks or the families who have lost loved ones to violence. According to the lawmakers, their initial suspension was a result of their refusal to remain silent in the face of such atrocities.
The group called on the governor to begin actively supporting security agencies and local vigilante forces who risk their lives daily. They expressed dismay over the poor equipment and support provided to the state’s Security Protection Guards (Askarawa), noting that the lack of resources contributed to the death of many officers in confrontations with criminals.
They urged the governor to provide immediate financial assistance—at least N10 million per family—to the families of the slain Askarawa, stating that this could easily be covered by the N2 billion monthly security vote allocated to the governor.
Additionally, the lawmakers demanded the reversal of the recent dismissal of over 4,000 civil servants, describing the move as lacking due process and harmful to the socio-economic stability of the state, especially amid rising insecurity.
They also alleged that close associates of the governor from outside the state—including Niger, Kaduna, and Adamawa—have been acquiring expensive properties shortly after visiting Zamfara, suggesting financial mismanagement and corruption at the highest level.
In conclusion, the lawmakers insisted that all sacked workers be reinstated with immediate effect and that their withheld salaries and entitlements be paid in full.
The parallel sitting was attended by:
Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South)
Hon. Ibrahim Tudu Tukur Bakura (Bakura)
Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North)
Hon. Faruk Musa Dosara (Maradun 1)
Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Gummi 1)
Hon. Barrister Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North)
Hon. Amiru Ahmed (Tsafe West)
Hon. Basiru Bello (Bungudu West)
Hon. Mukhtaru Nasiru (Kaura Namoda North)
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