The Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Rep. Abubakar Suleiman Gummi from office for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Key Highlights:
- Justice Egwuatu rules Gummi’s defection unconstitutional.
- INEC ordered to conduct a fresh election within 30 days.
- Court orders refund of all salaries and allowances collected since defection.
- Judge condemns “political prostitution,” calls it a betrayal of voters’ mandate.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment, also restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Gummi as the representative of Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State. The judge declared that Gummi’s seat had automatically become vacant following his defection.
The court further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in the constituency within 30 days to fill the vacant seat.
Read Also:
- Fire guts INEC office in Sokoto
- INEC urged to ensure functionality of its devices
- INEC seeks Traditional Ruler’s support for free and fair elections
Gummi, through his counsel, had claimed that his defection was due to a “deep crisis” within the PDP, both nationally and in his constituency. He argued that the instability prevented him from effectively representing his constituents.
Justice Egwuatu, however, rejected his argument, ruling that there was no legally recognised division in the PDP at the time of his defection. The judge said Gummi’s action amounted to political betrayal and must be punished under the law.
“Politicians must respect the will of the electorate. It is both legally and morally wrong to abandon the party under which one was elected and move to a rival party while holding onto that mandate,” the judge declared.
He added, “If a person must decamp, don’t decamp with the mandate of the electorates. Political prostitution must not be rewarded.”
The court ordered Gummi to refund all salaries and allowances received since his defection on October 30, 2024, and to file evidence of the refund within 30 days. A fine of N500,000 was also awarded in favour of the PDP and against the lawmaker.
