By Fatima Mukhtar
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sacked Abubakar Gummi, the member representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, from the House of Representatives over his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment, held that Gummi’s defection was unconstitutional and amounted to political misconduct, stressing that the law does not allow an elected lawmaker to abandon the political party that sponsored him to victory unless there is a division in that party.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacant seat and directed Gummi to refund all salaries and allowances he received from the date of his defection in October 2024.
Justice Egwuatu further restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives from recognising Gummi as a member of the parliament, describing his defection as “political prostitution” that must not be rewarded.
The ruling follows a suit filed by the PDP, challenging the lawmaker’s move to the APC and seeking his removal from office in accordance with constitutional provisions.
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