Suleiman Abubakar Gummi, the representative for the Gummi/Bukkuyum federal constituency of Zamfara State, has officially switched to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His defection letter was read by Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen during a House of Representatives plenary on Wednesday.
Explaining his reasons, Gummi cited the removal of his party’s local government chairman, which he said had led to a power struggle, creating two factions and hampering democratic processes.
However, Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda challenged the move, urging the Speaker to declare Gummi’s seat vacant in line with the law.
Chinda argued that the Supreme Court had a clear definition of a political crisis, and Gummi’s reasons did not meet this threshold.
He emphasised the constitutional mandate regarding lawmakers who leave the parties that sponsored them, stressing the importance of the Speaker’s adherence to his oath of office.
Despite Chinda’s appeal, the Speaker overruled his objection.
Gummi’s defection follows his recent appointment as Chairman of the House Committee on the newly established North West Development Commission, a role he assumed only two weeks prior.
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