Zamfara PDP Representative, Abubakar Gumi defects to APC

On Wednesday, Abubakar Gumi defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, giving the ruling All Progressives Congress another member in the House of Representatives. 

During the plenary session, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read Gumi's letter of defection on the House floor and informed his colleagues of the news. 

The Speaker claims that Gumi, who is the representative for the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, decided to quit the PDP because of the continuous disarray within the party's ranks in his district.

“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,” the Speaker explained.

Citing a constitutional point of order, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda reminded the Speaker that the defection must be addressed in accordance 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,” Chinda said.

APC members stood in celebration as Gumi's defection went smoothly, but numerous PDP lawmakers gave Chinda a standing ovation. 

Gumi's nomination as Chairman of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission was only two weeks prior to the defection.

Source