Zamfara Lawmakers seek NASS, FG’s intervention over crisis

Suspended members of Zamfara State House of Assembly has urged President Bola Tinubu and the National assembly to wade into the crisis bedeviling the legislative chamber.

At a press briefing organized by the suspended legislators in Zaria, the Pro tempo speaker of the assembly, Bashir Aliyu Gumi representing Gumi 1 also called on US and British embassies as well as the ECOWAS “to save democracy from danger”.

Gumi who was flanked by 11 legislators (both suspended and not suspended) during the press conference said their aim was devoid of any political liening but an attempt to save democracy and security situation bedeviling the state.

The Speaker pro tempo recalled that ” last week Thursday, the honourable house under my leadership and 18 members resolved that the Zamfara state House of assembly be closed on recess untill security situation is addressed.”

He added that “Our action was in line with our standing rules which provided that where the speaker and the deputy speaker are absent, members can among themselves appoint what is called “Speaker pro tempo” and any action made by that speaker at that material time stands valid.” He said.

The lawmakers however expressed dismay on how the state governor, alledgedly ordered the house to reopened under the leadership of Bilyamin Ismail Moriki who subsequently held a sitting at the chamber.

“It was at that null and void sitting that 8 out of 18 members who appointed the speaker pro tempo were suspended on the alledged order of the state Governor.” He said.

Gumi therefore submitted that all actions
taken by speaker Bilyamin Ismail Moriki was null and void and has no effect whatsoever including the suspension of 8 members, describing it as “unconstitutional, abuse of rules of law, clear infraction and violation of fundamental human right as captured in chapter 4 and section 35 and 36 of the 1999 constitution”.

The speaker pro tempo added that the directive given to the DSS to investigate the matter is also an abuse of provision of legislative privilege Act 1954 which barred any law enforce agency from investigating any resolution of a legislator either at National or state assembly.

“We therefore call on the National assembly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, US embassy, British embassy and the ECOWAS to look into the matter of Zamfara state house of assembly as democracy is in danger.” He urged.

Member representing Kauran Namoda north who was not among the suspended members, Nasir Mukhtar said the recent development at the Zamfara legislative chamber has taken a bad toll and will truncate the enrichment of democracy in the state.

He called for quick intervention from above to strengthen democratic rule and democracy in the state.