A parallel House of Assembly has emerged in Zamfara State after nine suspended lawmakers illegally suspended on the orders of Governor Dauda Lawal elected Bashir Aliyu Gummi as their Speaker.

The lawmakers, who were suspended in February 2024 allegedly on reasons of misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, and illegal sitting, met in Gusau, the state capital, to deliberate on key issues.

The lawmakers who attended the sitting include Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South Constituency), Ibrahim Tudu Tukur (Bakura Constituency), Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North) and Faruk Musa Dosara (Maradun 1).

Others are Bashar Aliyu (Gummi 1), Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Amiru Ahmed (Tsafe West), Basiru Bello (Bungudu West), and Mukhtaru Nasiru (Kaura Namoda North).

The suspended lawmakers discussed insecurity, economy, and the alleged sack of civil servants by Governor Dauda Lawal.

They also want Governor Lawal to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The development comes amid accusations that Governor Lawal has exhibited anti-democratic tendencies and crippled legislative activities in the state.

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) criticized the governor’s actions, saying the suspension of the lawmakers denied the people of Zamfara effective representation.

Their purported suspension has been condemned by many Nigerians including a petition to the National Assembly by the civil society.

A civil society group, Save Democracy Vanguard, has written to the United Nations over the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

In the letter addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General and signed by Dr. Ali Mohammed Ali, Executive Director of the group, Save Democracy Vanguard described the situation in Rivers as a national emergency and accused the Federal Government of allowing the illegal suspension of democracy in Nigeria’s oil-rich state.

The group warned that the country’s democracy is “on the red line” and could collapse if the international community fails to act now.

“This is no longer an internal matter. What we are witnessing in Nigeria, particularly in Rivers state, is a complete deviation from the democratic process. The international community must not look away while constitutional order is being dismantled with the silent backing of the federal authorities,” the letter reads.

“A major Nigerian state has been handed over to the military in broad daylight. The installation of a sole administrator in place of elected officials and the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara without due process amount to a civilian coup and should be treated as such.

“It is deeply troubling that while terrorists and bandits continue to sack communities and murder innocent citizens across several states without the declaration of emergency rule, the federal government chose to impose what is effectively military rule in Rivers over a political disagreement between two individuals.”

Save Democracy Vanguard described the actions in Rivers as setting a dangerous precedent that could destabilise the entire country if not addressed immediately.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers is an assault on the will of the people. A state that voted for its leaders now finds itself under the grip of a single individual with no mandate. The sole administrator, Ibok-Eket Ibas, has sacked local government officials and heads of government institutions in the state and he’s ruling by decree. This is a tragedy for democracy in Africa’s most populous nation.”

The group noted that the crisis in Rivers has triggered widespread protests, particularly among women who have taken to the streets to demand the reinstatement of Governor Fubara and the restoration of democratic rule.

“Our mothers, sisters, and daughters in Rivers are leading peaceful demonstrations daily. They are crying out for justice, for democracy, and for the return of their elected governor. They are not only defending Fubara but defending the principle that power belongs to the people,” the group added.

On the economic front, the group said the ongoing crisis has crippled the state and discouraged investment.

“Businesses are shutting down. Workers are afraid. Contractors have fled. The state’s economy is at a standstill. No investor wants to operate in a state where the rule of law is suspended, and the constitution is optional.

“We are calling on the UN and all lovers of democracy to step in immediately. Nigeria’s democracy is bleeding; Rivers is the latest victim. If nothing is done, this Rivers experiment will spread to other states and the country may collapse into anarchy. The people have done their part—now, the international community must not fail them,” the group said.

The Arewa Youth Council has slammed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his unrelenting attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing his posture as bitter, hypocritical, and steeped in desperation following decades of failed presidential bids.

In a statement issued Thursday in Kaduna, Comrade Adams Reuben, President of the Council, said it was both laughable and shameful that Atiku, who “presided over the reckless sale of Nigeria’s national assets to cronies during his time as head of the National Council on Privatisation”, now positions himself as a reformer and moral compass.

“Atiku might be suffering from senility or early-stage brain fatigue triggered by his serial rejections at the polls,” Reuben said.

“How does a man so deeply involved in the systemic weakening of Nigeria’s economic backbone now question a leader who is working tirelessly to repair the damage?

“He supervised the transfer of Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), and other prized national assets to associates under the guise of reforms that left millions of Nigerians worse off. That’s the legacy he’s running from, and he thinks we’ll forget by screaming ‘coalition’ and throwing jabs at Tinubu.”

Responding to Atiku’s recent push for a coalition ahead of 2027, the group dismissed it as another “failed train heading nowhere”.

“Nigerians have seen through that smokescreen. This so-called coalition is nothing but a gathering of political orphans, desperate to regain relevance. It is a failed train heading to nowhere — and Atiku is not only the conductor, he’s the last passenger too,” Reuben declared.

The northern youth group emphasized that while Atiku has been perpetually chasing the presidency, Tinubu got it right on his first attempt because of Nigerians’ trust in his leadership.

Reuben called on Atiku to take a bow from public discourse and stop distracting the current administration from delivering on promises made to Nigerians.

“This is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first time on the presidential ballot — and he won because Nigerians believe in his vision, his intellect, and his ability to take tough decisions. Atiku has contested five times, lost each time, and still thinks we owe him the presidency?,” the group queried.

“He has failed. Nigerians have moved on. It’s time Atiku does the same. His bitterness will not change the fact that the country is finally in the hands of a thinker, a builder, and a leader.”

The Arewa Youth Council concluded by warning that it would continue to speak against “those who sow division, incite bitterness, and attempt to whitewash their tainted legacies in the name of political opposition”.