Court sacks Zamfara Rep for defecting from PDP to APC

In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has removed Hon. Abubakar Suleiman 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 sacked by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who declared that his defection violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The judge ordered the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, to cease recognising Gummi as a sitting member and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant seat.

The suit, filed on November 29, 2024, with case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, was instituted by the PDP and its Zamfara State Chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki. The plaintiffs argued that Gummi’s defection was unconstitutional, as it was not triggered by any division within the PDP — the party that sponsored his election.

Court Condemns Political Defections

Justice Egwuatu, in his judgment delivered on Thursday and obtained on Friday, upheld all the plaintiffs’ prayers and issued a scathing rebuke of the growing trend of political defections in Nigeria.

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“A politician has no right to transfer votes garnered on the platform of one party to another,” the judge stated. “Political prostitution must not be rewarded. The law must punish such moves by taking away the benefits bestowed upon the decampee politician by the electorates.”

He added that elected officials must respect the mandate of the people and the political platforms on which they were elected.

Financial Penalties and Refund Order

In addition to losing his seat, Gummi was barred from receiving any salary or allowances as a lawmaker from October 30, 2024, to the date of judgment. The court ordered him to refund all payments received during that period and submit evidence of the refund to the court registry within 30 days.

Justice Egwuatu also awarded a cost of ₦500,000 in favour of the plaintiffs against the defendants.

Gummi had argued through his counsel that his defection was prompted by internal crises within the PDP at both national and constituency levels, which he claimed hindered his ability to serve effectively. However, the court rejected this defence, affirming that no legitimate division existed within the party to justify his move.

The ruling is expected to set a precedent in curbing indiscriminate defections and reinforcing party discipline within Nigeria’s political landscape.