In a move sparking political tension, eight lawmakers in Zamfara State were suspended by a faction of seven of their colleagues. This action follows an attempt to impeach the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Moriki due to his prolonged absence from the state, particularly during a period of heightened banditry activities.
The move comes amidst heightened security concerns at the Assembly complex in Gusau, the state capital. Recall that last week, eighteen members, constituting a majority, attempted to remove Speaker Moriki from his position. However, the legitimacy of their actions has been contested.
The seven members who remain loyal to Speaker Moriki argue that the attempted impeachment was illegal and unconstitutional 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.