JUST IN: Zamfara PDP Rep defects to APC

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) expanded its presence in the House of Representatives on Wednesday with the defection of Abubakar Gumi from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Speaker Tajudeen Abbas shared this development with his colleagues during a plenary session, where he read Gumi’s resignation letter on the House floor.

The Speaker noted that Gumi, who represents the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, decided to leave the PDP due to ongoing conflicts within the party at his constituency. “The Honourable member mentioned that there are two PDP Chairmen in his area, contributing to the internal and external issues plaguing the party in his state. The party lacks a solid structure here,” Abbas stated.

In response, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda raised a constitutional point of order, reminding the Speaker of the necessary procedures regarding party defections. “Mr. Speaker, I must emphasize that when a member departs from their political party, the regulations are explicit. There is an appropriate time to act, and that time is now. You took an oath to uphold the constitution,” Chinda declared.

Chinda’s remarks garnered applause from several PDP lawmakers, yet Gumi’s defection was ultimately successful, with members of the APC also applauding the move. This shift occurred just two weeks after Gumi was appointed as Chairman of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission.