Court Stops Zamfara Speaker, 8 Other Lawmakers From Parading Themselves As Assembly Members

A Zamfara State High Court has restrained Hon. Bashar Aliyu from parading himself as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

Justice Muhammad Gusau of the court, who gave the order, also stopped eight others from parading themselves as members of the State House of Assembly.

The assembly has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis, with two factions claiming control of the speakership.

Earlier this year, a splinter group of lawmakers convened at an undisclosed location, where they elected Hon. Bashar Aliyu (Gummi 1 Constituency) as speaker.

The group reportedly discussed issues related to security and workers’ welfare.

In response, Speaker Bilyaminu Moriki, backed by the majority of lawmakers, suspended Aliyu and eight others.

He maintained that only one legitimate assembly exists in Zamfara and declared any sessions held outside the official chamber as unconstitutional and invalid.

The dispute was taken to the Zamfara State High Court, where the matter is currently being adjudicated.

In its ruling on a motion filed by the State House of Assembly dated June 23, 2025, the court held that: “Consequently, it is hereby ordered as follows: That the 1st Respondent (Aliyu) by himself including his Agents, Employees, Officials, Privies, and or all those purporting to be acting for him or other persons howsoever and whosoever called are hereby restrained in the interim from parading himself as the Speaker of the Applicant or assuming the functions of the Speaker of the Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the motion No. ZMS/GS/M.228/2025.

“That the 2nd – 9th Respondents by themselves, including their Agents, Employees, Officials Privies and or all those purporting to be acting for them or to have derived title from them or other persons, howsoever and whosoever called, are hereby restrained in the interim from further conducting illegal session or making any resolution to appoint a speaker to the 1st Applicant pending the determination of motion No. ZMS/GS/M.228/2025.

“The Application succeeds and same is hereby granted as prayed.”