From John Bassey, Gusau
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State raised concerns on Sunday, May 4, over alleged judicial witch-hunting of nine elected lawmakers by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP denied involvement, asserting the matter was between the Zamfara State House of Assembly and its members.
APC Publicity Secretary Malam Yusuf Idris stated that the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) finds it disturbing that the state government is using the judiciary to attack constitutionally elected members of the state House of Assembly for executing their legislative functions and pointing out where the executive is wrong in the discharge of its responsibilities to the public interest.
He claimed Chief Magistrate Halima Jaafar Mikaila ordered their arrest without summons, despite a pending Court of Appeal case in Sokoto.
PDP Publicity Secretary Alhaji Halliru Andi countered that “Governor Dauda Lawal had no role in the legal action taken against the lawmakers. This matter was strictly between the Zamfara State House of Assembly and its members. The Governor neither initiated nor influenced the court’s decision, it was pertinent to respect the independence of the Executive, Legislature, and the Judiciary.”
Speaker Rt. Hon. Bilyaminu Muhammad Moriki previously noted the lawmakers’ case was under judicial review, with a court order to maintain the status quo. He deemed their parallel assembly illegal during their February 2024 suspension.
The APC, noting petitions to the Inspector General of Police, DSS, and others, urged the lawmakers to petition the Judicial Service Commission against the “politically-motivated” order. They stated, “APC will continue to be on the right side of the law and will not allow judicial officers to be politicised and used against public interest,” and vowed to “resist any attempt to witch-hunt the members just for voicing out the security situation of their constituencies, which the Zamfara State government failed to address.”
Amid Zamfara’s insecurity, with millions displaced by banditry, the PDP urged the APC to verify facts and collaborate for peace, stating Governor Lawal’s commitment to justice and inclusiveness.