Nine suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have accused the state government and the Assembly leadership of denying them their salaries and allowances for almost two years following their suspension.
The lawmakers made the allegation during an interview with DW Hausa on Tuesday, stating that they were suspended on February 27, 2024, after raising concerns about insecurity in their constituencies.
One of the lawmakers, Bashir Abubakar, who represents Bukkuyum North Constituency, said they were targeted after speaking out about security challenges affecting residents in their areas.
“We raised issues of insecurity affecting our people, and shortly after, nine of us were suspended,” he said.
They further alleged that following their suspension, attempts were made to arrest them, claiming that security operatives were mobilised against them.
However, the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Moriki, refuted the allegations, insisting that the lawmakers were suspended for violating legislative procedures rather than for addressing security concerns.
According to him, the affected lawmakers allegedly locked the Assembly chamber and held an unauthorised sitting while principal officers were present within the complex.
“No lawmaker has the right to lock the chamber against other members. The Assembly acted in line with established laws and procedures,” the Speaker said.
On the issue of remuneration, the suspended lawmakers accused the Assembly of operating unlawfully and sharing their entitlements among active members. Aliyu Kagara, who represents Talata Mafara South Constituency, said their salaries had been withheld for 22 months.
He further alleged that budgets were being passed without the constitutionally required quorum, noting that although the Assembly has 24 members, sittings had continued with only 15 lawmakers.
The Speaker, however, maintained that lawmakers under suspension are not entitled to salaries or allowances, stressing that all actions taken by the Assembly were lawful.
The lawmakers confirmed that the case is currently before the court, but accused the state government and Assembly leadership of frustrating the legal process — an allegation the Speaker denied.
Moriki revealed that discussions had been held regarding their possible reinstatement, adding that Governor Dauda Lawal had agreed to their return on the condition that they submit a letter of apology to the Assembly — a condition the lawmakers reportedly rejected.
