Suspended Zamfara lawmakers forced into hiding amid security threat

Eight lawmakers who were suspended by the Zamfara State House of Assembly have reportedly been compelled to seek refuge, citing harassment from political thugs and unwarranted pursuit by security forces.

These legislators, known for their vocal opposition to the escalating insecurity in Zamfara, revealed these developments during a press conference held in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Sunday.

Bashir Aliyu, speaking on behalf of the suspended members, expressed their collective dismay over the deteriorating security situation in the state and the backlash they have faced for speaking out.

Aliyu, representing the Gumi 1 constituency, outlined how their efforts to push for changes within the assembly’s leadership were aimed at highlighting the absence of the Speaker and his deputy, which they believed was contributing to governance deficiencies in Zamfara.

However, this initiative seemed to have backfired, leading to a series of retaliatory actions against the lawmakers, including physical assaults by thugs allegedly linked to a prominent state politician during a public event on February 24.

Adding to the challenges faced by the suspended lawmakers is a directive, issued in a letter dated March 7, requiring them to return their official vehicles to the Clerk of the State Assembly within a specified timeframe.

This directive compounds what the lawmakers perceive as a concerted effort to silence and penalize them for their criticisms of the state’s handling of security issues.

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).