The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the removal of Hon. Abubakar Gummi, a member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice delivered the judgment on Friday, ruling that Gummi’s defection was unconstitutional since there was no division within the PDP at the time of his defection — a requirement stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution for any legislator who wishes to switch political parties while in office.
The court held that the mandate Gummi holds belongs to the PDP, under whose platform he was elected, and not to him personally. Consequently, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw his Certificate of Return and issue a new one to the PDP’s candidate.
This ruling reinforces previous judicial precedents aimed at curbing political instability caused by frequent defections among elected officials.
Political analysts have described the judgment as a strong reminder that the courts will continue to uphold constitutional provisions regarding party loyalty and electoral mandates.
