The Federal High Court in Abuja has officially removed Abubakar Gummi, the representative for Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, from the House of Representatives for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The judgment, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu on October 30th, 2025, declared his defection unconstitutional, citing Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution that mandates forfeiture of a legislative seat if a lawmaker defects without evidence of a party crisis.
The suit that led to the court’s ruling was brought by the PDP and its Zamfara State Chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, who argued that Gummi’s defection violated the mandate given to him by voters who elected him as a PDP candidate. Senior Advocate Ibrahim Bawa, representing the plaintiffs, emphasized that no verifiable division existed within the PDP to justify such a move.
Justice Egwuatu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant seat. The court also restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognizing Gummi as a member of the House.
Gummi had attempted to defend his defection by citing unresolved crises within the PDP but the court rejected this defense, stressing that political offices should not be treated as instruments for personal gain or “political prostitution. This ruling sets a stern precedent against lawmakers who defect mid-term without legitimate grounds, reinforcing constitutional provisions designed to uphold the integrity of electoral mandates.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is now tasked with organizing a timely election to ensure representation for the people of Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency is restored.
