Federal High Court removes Zamfara lawmaker for illegal party defection

‎The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the removal of Rep. Abubakar Gummi from his seat for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) without lawful approval.
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‎Representing the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, Gummi’s defection raised legal action, culminating in Thursday’s ruling by Justice Obiora Egwuatu. The judge declared that his defection was unconstitutional and hence invalid.
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‎Following the verdict, the court barred the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Gummi as a member and mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise a fresh election within 30 days.
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Justice Egwuatu emphasized that elected officials should honour the mandates given by their constituents under the party platform on which they won. Zamfara State remains under PDP leadership with Governor Dauda Lawal.
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