The All Progressives Congress (APC) has gained an additional seat in the House of Representatives after Rep. Abubakar Gumi defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday.
An excited Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced during a plenary session that Gumi, representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, has defected to APC.
Abbas believed the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP ranks in Gumi’s constituency, which has resulted in several defections in Nigeria’s political landscape, prompted Gumi’s decision.
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.”
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.
He said: “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.”
While several PDP lawmakers gave Chinda a standing ovation, Gumi’s defection to the APC proceeded successfully, with APC members also rising to their feet in applause.
Gumi’s defection comes just two weeks after his appointment as Chairman of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission.
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