The Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Hon. Abubakar Gummi from his position as the representative of Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in the judgment delivered on Thursday, restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Gummi as the lawmaker representing the constituency.
The judge also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacancy within 30 days of the judgment.
The suit, filed by the PDP and its state chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, challenged Gummi’s retention of his seat after leaving the party that sponsored his election. The plaintiffs argued that Gummi’s defection, in the absence of any party division, violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that a lawmaker loses his seat if he defects before the end of his tenure.
Gummi had responded through his lawyer, claiming his defection was due to internal crises within the PDP, which he said hindered his ability to properly represent his constituents and ensure equitable distribution of resources.
Rejecting Gummi’s claims, Justice Egwuatu granted all the plaintiffs’ reliefs, condemning politicians who treat defection as a normal practice. “Politicians should respect the wishes of the electorates that elected them into office,” the judge said. “It is legally and morally wrong for a politician to abandon the party under which they were elected and move to a rival party without relinquishing the mandate. Political prostitution must not be rewarded.”
The court ordered Gummi to stop receiving salaries or allowances as a member of the House of Representatives and to refund all monies collected from October 30, 2024, to the date of the judgment. Evidence of the refund must be filed in court within 30 days.
Additionally, Justice Egwuatu imposed a fine of N500,000 in favour of the plaintiffs.
(NAN)
