The Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Abubakar Gummi, a member of the House of Representatives 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 the defection was unconstitutional and restrained the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, from further recognising Gummi as a member of the lower chamber.
The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant seat.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday and sighted on Friday, October 31, 2025, followed a suit filed by the PDP and its Zamfara State chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024.
The plaintiffs, represented by Ibrahim Bawa (SAN), argued that Gummi’s defection contravened Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), since there was no division within the PDP at the time.
Justice Egwuatu granted the reliefs sought and awarded ₦500,000 in costs against the defendants.
