Court Sacks Zamfara Rep Over Defection, Warns Politicians Against ‘Political Prostitution’

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sacked Hon. Abubakar Gummi, the lawmaker representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Delivering judgment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that Gummi’s defection was unconstitutional, declaring that “political prostitution must not be rewarded.”

The court ordered the embattled lawmaker to vacate his seat and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in the constituency within 30 days.

Justice Egwuatu further restrained Speaker Tajudeen Abbas from recognising Gummi as a member of the House of Representatives and ordered the lawmaker to refund all salaries, allowances, and benefits received from October 30, 2024, till date.

“The evidence of refund of all monies collected as salaries, allowances, or howsoever called, shall be filed in the registry of this court within 30 days,” the judge ruled.

He also awarded N500,000 in favour of the plaintiffs—the Zamfara PDP and its chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki—and against Gummi, INEC, and the Speaker.

Justice Egwuatu cautioned against the growing culture of defection among Nigerian politicians, saying it undermines the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

> “When the electorate have made their choices based on party manifestos, it is morally and legally wrong for a politician to abandon that platform and defect to another party without relinquishing the mandate,” he said.

“A politician has no right to transfer the votes of one party to another. The law must punish such conduct, as political prostitution must not be rewarded.”

 

The PDP had approached the court in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, seeking a declaration that Gummi’s defection was unconstitutional under Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The party also sought an order compelling the Speaker to declare the seat vacant, arguing that there was no division in the PDP to justify Gummi’s defection.

Justice Egwuatu upheld all the reliefs sought, describing Gummi’s action as a clear violation of the constitution.

However, Gummi, through his lawyer, filed a preliminary objection and counter affidavit, claiming that internal crises within the PDP prompted his defection. He argued that the divisions in the party prevented him from effectively representing his constituents.

It could not be immediately ascertained if the sacked lawmaker will appeal the judgment.