Sixteen lawmakers in Zamfara State have been suspended by seven of their colleagues following a move to impeach the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Moriki.
The suspension comes amid rising tension and security concerns at the Assembly complex in Gusau.
Recall that there was tension at the complex of the Zamfara State House of Assembly last Thursday as 18 out of the 24 lawmakers moved to impeach the Speaker.
The suspension was reportedly prompted by the sixteen lawmaker’s threat to impeach the Speaker due to his prolonged absence from the state, particularly during a period of heightened banditry activities.
The lawmakers had convened last Thursday, where they initiated impeachment proceedings against Moriki.
However, in a swift response, seven members of the Assembly, describing the previous legislative sitting as illegal, suspended the sixteen lawmakers, accusing the suspended members of forcibly entering the offices of the clerk of the House and Sergeant at Arms, causing damage to the Assembly complex.
The suspended lawmakers have been urged by the House to disregard rumours of the Speaker’s suspension and to cooperate with Governor Dauda Lawal’s government.
The Assembly members have alleged that some external politicians are backing the suspended lawmakers in a bid to disrupt the state government’s operations.
The situation remains tense as a heavy security presence has been deployed to the Assembly complex to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
