The Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Hon. Abubakar Gummi from the House of Representatives for defecting from the PDP to the APC, describing his move as “political prostitution undeserving of reward.”
Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that under Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, Gummi automatically lost his seat by abandoning the party that sponsored him.
“Before I take my fingers off the keyboard,” the judge remarked, “let me add that politicians must respect the wishes of the electorate. Don’t transfer votes you didn’t earn.”
The court restrained the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Gummi as a lawmaker and directed INEC to conduct a fresh election within 30 days.
The judgment also ordered Gummi to refund all salaries and allowances collected since October 2024, amounting to several millions.
Impact Snapshot
- 30-day deadline for INEC by-election in Zamfara.
- Legal precedent strengthens anti-defection jurisprudence.
- Signal to defectors ahead of 2027 realignments.
Judicial Red Line on Defection
This verdict reinforces the judiciary’s stance against unprincipled party switching and restores legislative accountability.
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