By Gloria Ikibah
A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara state has defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This defection was transmitted in a letter read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Wednesday at plenary.
Rep. Gumi in the letter, said his reasons for defection was as a result of the crisis in his Constituency where there are two PDP chairmen.
The letter reads in part: “It is as a result of the internal and external crisis in the PDP in the state. The party lacks structure in the state”.
Meanwhile, the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, raised a constitutional point of order that having two chairmen in a Constituency cannot be defined as a problem in the PDP and not enough reasons according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“You are aware that when a member leaves his political party the rules are very clear. According him these two chairmen are in his Constituency.
“I ask Mr Speaker, that you act according to our rule and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“You sit here today as our leader. The constitutional provision on what happens when one decamps to another party is clear.
“There is a time to do the right thing and the time has come for the Speaker to do the right thing. You swore to protect the constitution of this country at all times.
“I ask Mr Speaker that you act according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Chinda said.
Naijablitznews.com reports that Rep. Gumi’s defection is coming barely two weeks after he was made the chairman House Committee on North West Development Commission, a newly created Committee approved by the leadership.
Gumi until his recent appointment was the chairman House Committee on Safety Standards.