The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed Rep. Abubakar Gummi, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Gummi represents the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, must no longer recognize Gummi as a member of the House. The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacancy.
The suit, filed by the PDP and its state chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, questioned the constitutionality of Gummi’s continued presence in the House after his defection. The plaintiffs argued that Gummi’s move was unconstitutional since he left the party that sponsored him without any division within the PDP.
In his defense, Gummi argued that his defection was due to internal crises within the PDP, which hindered his ability to represent his constituents effectively. However, Justice Egwuatu granted the plaintiffs all their requested reliefs, emphasizing that politicians should respect the choices of the electorate.
The judge condemned the practice of defection, stating that politicians should not transfer the votes they garnered under one party to another without relinquishing their mandate. He ordered Gummi to refund all salaries and allowances received since his defection and imposed a fine of ₦500,000 against the defendants.
Justice Egwuatu’s ruling highlights the legal and moral obligations of elected officials to their constituents, reinforcing that political defection should not benefit the politicians who abandon their parties.
