Court sacks popular lawmaker for decamping from PDP to APC
Nigerian court
The Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Hon. Abubakar Gummi from his seat in the House of Representatives for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Gummi represents Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State.
Delivering judgment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu restrained the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Gummi as the constituency representative.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacancy.
The suit, filed by PDP and its Zamfara State Chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, argued that Gummi’s defection violated Section 68 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits a lawmaker from retaining a seat obtained through one party after switching to another.
Gummi, through his lawyer, argued that internal crises within PDP compelled his defection, claiming it hindered his ability to serve constituents effectively.
Justice Egwuatu condemned the practice of transferring electoral mandates to another party, stating that “political prostitution must not be rewarded.”
The judge ordered Gummi to refund all salaries and allowances received from October 30, 2024, until the judgment date and imposed a fine of N500,000 in favour of the plaintiffs.
