The Zamfara Elders Forum has accused Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal of orchestrating a politically motivated campaign against nine elected members of the state House of Assembly, alleging that he is using the judiciary to suppress their legislative duties.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the forum’s spokesperson, Dr Abdulmumin Kamil Gusau, described the state government’s actions as “disturbing and embarrassing.”
The group claims that Chief Magistrate Halima Jaafar Mikaila issued an arrest order for the lawmakers without prior summons or formal charges, a move they argue undermines the rule of law.
“We are deeply troubled by how the state government is manipulating judicial mechanisms to target constitutionally elected members of the state House of Assembly,” Guasa said.
“These lawmakers are being persecuted for fulfilling their legislative responsibilities and highlighting shortcomings in the executive’s performance in the public interest.”
The forum noted that the affected lawmakers, drawn from both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), have already lodged a case at the Court of Appeal in Sokoto.
They have also petitioned key authorities, including the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Security Adviser, and the National Assembly, seeking intervention.
Despite these pending legal and formal complaints, the forum alleges that the magistrate court proceeded with the arrest order, which they deem unlawful.
The group has called on Governor Lawal to cease what it describes as harassment and engage in dialogue with the lawmakers to resolve the ongoing crisis amicably.
“The APC will remain steadfast in upholding the law and will not tolerate the politicisation of judicial officers to serve narrow interests,” Gusua stated.
“We stand firmly against any attempts to intimidate lawmakers for raising concerns about the worsening security situation in their constituencies, which the state government has failed to address.”