There are jitters among federal lawmakers following the sack of a House of Representatives member for leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the removal of Suleiman Abubakar Gummi from his seat in the House of Representatives, for defecting from the PDP to the APC. Gummi represents the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the court restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising him as the representative for the constituency, and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacancy.
The suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024) was filed on behalf of the PDP and its state chairman in Zamfara (Jamilu Jibomagayaki) on 29 November 2024. The plaintiffs asked whether Gummi’s defection was constitutional under Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), given that he was elected on the PDP platform and apparently left for the APC while there was said to be no recognised internal party division.
Gummi’s defection in late October 2024 was publicly announced when his letter of defection was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker.
He cited internal and external crisis in the PDP—specifically, that one local government chairman had been removed and another had decamped—to justify the move. The PDP has described his action as a “betrayal of trust” and pledged to reclaim the mandate.
In the judgement, the court also awarded the plaintiffs a fine of N500,000 against the defendants.
Notable Defections in the Last Two Years
Here are selected political office-holders who have defected in roughly the past two years (2024–2025), along with brief details of their switch:
●Suleiman Abubakar GummiMember, House of Reps, Gummi/Bukkuyum (Zamfara); from PDP to APC Oct 2024; letter read in House.
●Hon. Amos Magaji, House of Reps, Zangon Kataf/Jaba (Kaduna); from PDP to APC Feb 11 2025.
●Hon. Garba KokoHouse of Reps, Kebbi; from PDP to APC, Feb 12 2025.
●Hon. Jallo Hussaini Mohammed House of Reps, Igabi (Kaduna); From PDP to APC, March 18 2025.
●Hon. Adamu Tanko, House of Reps, Gurara/Suleja/Tafa (Niger); from PDP to APC, March 18 2025.
●Hon. Victor Nwokolo, House of Reps, Ika North East/Ika South (Delta); From PDP to APC. May 6 2025 (as part of six Delta Reps).
●Julius PondiHouse of Reps, Burutu (Delta); from PDP to APC, May 6 2025. .
●Thomas Ereyitomi, House of Reps, Warri (Delta); from PDP to APCMay 6 2025.
●Nicholas Mutu, House of Reps, Bomadi/Patani (Delta); from PDP to APC, May 6 2025.
●Hon. Ukodhiko Jonathan, House of Reps, Isoko Federal Constituency (Delta); from PDP to APC. May 6 2025.
●Ezechi NnamdiHouse of Reps, Ndokwa/Ukwuani (Delta); from PDP to APC. May 6 2025.
●Just on Thursday (30th October, 2025) six members of the House of Representatives from Enugu State jumped ship from the PDP and Labour Party (LP) to the APC. They are: Nnolim Nnaji representing the Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency; Martins Oke, Anayo Onwuegbu, Nnamdi Agbo, and Mark Obetta.
●In a related development, the member representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, Daniel Asama, also dumped the Labour Party for the APC.
Senators that have defected include:
●Ned Munir Nwoko, Senator, Delta North; from PDP to APC. Jan/Feb 2025.
●Adamu Aliero, Senator, Kebbi Central (and former Governor); from PDP to APC. 2025 (with two other Kebbi senators).
In the Executive Arm of government, Governors that have defected from the PDP to the APC are:
Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor, Delta State; from PDP to APC. April 2025.
Others are Duoye Diri of Bayelsa; and Peter Mbah of Enugu;
Notes & Context
• The constitutional provision often cited is Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that a member of the legislature must vacate the seat if they leave the party under whose platform they were elected, unless there is a division in the party.
• Many of these defections are driven by internal party crises, leadership disputes, or strategic alignment with the ruling party.
• While defections are frequent, legal enforcement of seat vacancies is inconsistent, which has led to debate about party loyalty and democratic integrity.
