The Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Abubakar Gummi, the lawmaker representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, from office following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Delivering judgement, Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that Gummi’s continued stay in the House of Representatives after leaving the party that sponsored his election was unconstitutional. He therefore restrained Speaker Tajudeen Abbas from further recognising Gummi as a member of the House.
The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacant seat within 30 days from the date of judgement.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, was filed by the PDP and its Zamfara State chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, through their counsel, Ibrahim Bawa (SAN). They argued that under Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, Gummi lost his seat upon defecting to another party when there was no division within the PDP.
Justice Egwuatu agreed with the plaintiffs and declared the defection unconstitutional, awarding a cost of ₦500,000 against the defendants.
The certified true copy of the judgement, delivered on Thursday, was sighted on Friday, October 31, 2025.
Melissa Enoch
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