A lawmaker of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Gumi has dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Gumi’s defection was announced by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas on the floor of the plenary on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
His defection comes barely two weeks after his appointment as the Chairman of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission.
Mr Abbas while reading the lawmaker’s letter to the members of the House said Mr Gumi chose to leave the PDP due to the ongoing crisis within the party ranks in his constituency.
He said that the lawmaker who represents Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State said the party in his state lacks structure.
The Speaker said, “The Honourable member stated that there are two PDP chairmen in his constituency, adding to the internal and external crisis within the party in his State.
“The party lacks structure in the State,” Mr Abbas noted.
In his reaction, Kingsley Chinda, the House Minority Leader cited a constitutional point of order.
He reminded the Speaker of the need to address the defection in line with the Nigerian constitution.
His words, “Mr Speaker, I am speaking under a constitutional point of order. You are aware that when a member leaves his political party, the rules are clear.
“There is a time to do the right thing, and that time has come. You swore to uphold the constitution of this country,” Mr Chinda said.
Despite the applause given to Mr Chinda’s point of order by several PDP members, Mr Gumi’s defection proceeded successfully.
