Just in: Court Removes Zamfara Lawmaker for Defecting from PDP to APC

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Hon. Abubakar Gummi from the House of Representatives following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gummi, who represented the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, was removed from office by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who ruled that his defection violated the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

In his judgment, Justice Egwuatu declared that legislative seats belong to the political party that sponsored a candidate’s election, not the individual politician. Consequently, the court restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Gummi as a serving member of the House.

The judge further ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise a fresh election for the vacant seat within 30 days.

The case was filed by the PDP and its Zamfara State chairman, who argued that Gummi’s defection was unconstitutional since there was no division within the PDP to justify his move — a requirement under Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

Gummi’s defence claimed that internal crises in the PDP had made it difficult for him to represent his constituents effectively. However, the court dismissed this argument, granting all the reliefs sought by the PDP.

In a stern warning, Justice Egwuatu criticised the growing trend of political defections, describing it as “political prostitution” that should not be tolerated. He emphasised that politicians cannot transfer votes obtained under one party to another.

The court also ordered Gummi to refund all salaries and allowances he received from October 30, 2024, up to the date of the judgment and prohibited him from receiving any further benefits as a member of the House.

Additionally, the judge awarded a cost of ₦500,000 against the defendants in favour of the PDP.