Suspended Zamfara lawmakers flee state, allege threat to life

• Aliyu asserted that they will continue to speak out until concrete measures are taken to address the rampant insecurity in Zamfara
  

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The eight lawmakers, who were suspended by the Zamfara State House of Assembly on Sunday, have stated that they were forced out of the state by political thugs for exposing the escalating insecurity in the region.

Speaking on behalf of the suspended lawmakers at a press conference in Zaria, Kaduna State, Bashir Aliyu emphasized that they have gone into hiding due to security agents sent to pursue them without justification.

Aliyu asserted that they will continue to speak out until concrete measures are taken to address the rampant insecurity in Zamfara. He clarified that their attempt to change the assembly’s leadership aimed to highlight the extended absence of the Speaker and his deputy from the state.

Moreover, Aliyu accused certain factions within the state of targeting them instead of prioritizing efforts to ensure safety and security. He mentioned an incident where some of the suspended lawmakers were assaulted by thugs associated with a local politician during the Deputy Governor’s daughter’s wedding on February 24.

Additionally, Aliyu disclosed that they received a letter dated March 7, with reference no. ZMHA/ADM/223/Vol. 1, instructing them to return the official vehicles under their care to the Clerk of the state assembly within seven days.

Aliyu, representing the Gumi 1 constituency, said, “We want to notify all that democracy is in danger in Zamfara State despite the prevailing insecurity and other challenges bedeviling the people of the state.

“We hence call for the intervention of key stakeholders to salvage the situation.”

On February 27, the eight lawmakers were suspended by the state assembly for allegedly holding an illegal plenary.

The eight suspended lawmakers are Bashir Aliyu (PDP-Gummi 1); Amiru Keta (PDP-Tsafe West); Nasiru Abdullahi (PDP-Maru South); Bashir Masama (PDP-Bukkuyum North); Faruku Dosara (APC-Maradun 1); Ibrahim Tukur (APC-Bakura Constituency); Shamsudeen Hassan (APC Talata-Mafara North) and Bashiru Sarkin-Zango (PDP-Bungudu West).