- The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed Zamfara State Rep. Abubakar Gummi for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC without evidence of a split in his former party.
- Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that the defection was unconstitutional, ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections within 30 days and directed Gummi to refund all salaries and allowances received since October 2024.
- The judge condemned political defections, saying “political prostitution shall not be rewarded”.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Rep. Abubakar Gummi, representing Gumi/Bukuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) without justifiable reasons.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Friday, ruling that Gumi’s defection was unconstitutional because he had abandoned the political platform that had supported his election, without evidence of a schism or crisis within the People’s Democratic Party.
The court directed House Speaker Rt. Dear. Tajuddin Abbas immediately stopped recognizing Gumi as a member and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold new elections within 30 days to fill the vacant seats.
The suit was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its Zamfara State chairman, who argued that Gumi’s actions violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that members of parliament who defect from the party that supported their election must vacate their seats unless there is a split in the party.
In his defence, Gumi claimed that unresolved internal disputes within the People’s Democratic Party at the national and constituency levels prompted his decision to join the APC. However, the court rejected his argument, calling it baseless and unsubstantiated.
Justice Egwatu, while granting all the relief sought by the plaintiffs, condemned the growing trend of political defections in Nigeria, warning that it undermined the democratic process.
“If a person must evacuate, do not evacuate under the authority of voters,” the judge said. “Political prostitution must never be rewarded.”
The court further ordered Gummi:
Stop receiving all salaries and allowances for members of the House of Representatives.
Refund all monies received between October 30, 2024, and the date of judgment.
Submit proof of refund to the court within 30 days.
In addition, Judge Egwuatu fined Gummi and the other defendants £500,000, stressing that the political mandate belonged to voters, not individual politicians.
