A member of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Gumi, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), News About Nigeria reports.
The lawmaker effected his defect on Wednesday.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the news to his colleagues during the plenary session, reading Gumi’s defection letter on the House floor.
According to the Speaker, Gumi, who represents Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, chose to leave the PDP due to the ongoing crisis within the party ranks in his constituency.
He stated, “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.”
However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, citing a constitutional point of order, reminded the Speaker of the need to address the defection in line with the Nigerian constitution.
“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,” he stated.
The defection was reportedly successful, as Gumi was welcomed to the APC.
It was also celebrated that the APC has gained an additional seat in the House of Representatives.
The defection is coming just two weeks after Gumi’s appointment as Chairman of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission.
