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Court sacks Rep for defecting from PDP to APC

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By Agency Report

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Rep Abubakar Gummi, for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to All Progressives Congress, APC.

Mr Gummi, represents Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara in the House of Representatives,

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a judgment, restrained the Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from further recognising Gummi as member representing Gummi/ Bukkuyum Federal Constituency.

Justice Egwuatu also made an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct fresh election to fill the vacancy fot the constituency within 30 days from the day of the judgment.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that though the judgement was delivered on Thursday, the certified true copy was sighted on Friday.

The suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, was filed by the PDP and its state’s Chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, as 1st and 2nd plaintiffs.

The duo, in the originating summons dated Nov. 28 but filed Nov. 29, 2024, by Ibrahim Bawa, SAN, had sued Hon Abubakar Suleiman Gummi; Speaker of the House of Representatives and INEC as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs had set out four questions for determination and sought nine reliefs for determination.

They asked whether having regard to the provision of Section 68 (1) (9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it was not unconstitutional for Gummies to retain his seat as member in the house.

They said he defected from PDP which sponsored him for the election to Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency to APC, when there was no division in the party, among other questions.

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One of the reliefs sought was a declaration that it was unconstitutional for the speaker to refuse/fail to declare Gummi’s seat vacant.

Gummi, in his response through his lawyer, filed a notice of preliminary objection and a counter affidavit.

The lawmaker, in his argument, argued that his decampment was due to the crisis within the PD..

He said contrary to the deposition of the plaintiffs, the lingering unresolved internal and external crisis both at the national level and in his constituency is the reason for his defection from the party to APC.

Mr Gummi said the crisis resulted into a state where he could no longer represent his constituents properly and ensure that they all benefit from shared distribution of the dividends of democracy within the bounds of law, and without undue interference from anyone or anything.

Delivering the judgment , Justice Egwuatu granted all the plaintiffs’ reliefs.

The judge condemned the attitude of some politicians who see defection as a normal culture.

“Before I take my fingers off the key board, let me just add, that politicians should respect the wishes of the electorates that elected them into office.

“A situation where the electorates have made their choices between different political parties and their candidates based on the manifestos and marketability of such a political party, it is legally and morally wrong for such a politician to abandon the party under which platform he or she was elected into office and move to a rival party without relinquishing the mandate of his or her former party.

“If a person must decamp, don’t decamp with the mandate of the electorates.

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“Don’t transfer the votes garnered on the platform of one party to another party.

“A politician has no such rights to transfer votes of a political party to another political party.

“The law must punish such moves by taking away the benefits bestowed upon the decampee politician by the electorates.

“And that is what Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution has done.

“Political prostitution must not be rewarded.

“In total, I resolve all the issues in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants,” Justice Egwuatu said.

The judge, therefore, ordered that Gummi , having defected from PDP to APC “before the expiration of the period the house was elected, automatically loses his seat as member of the House of Representatives.

He made an order restraining Gummi from further receiving monies as salaries, allowances or howsoever called in his capacity as member representing the constituency.

He also made an order directing the lawmaker to refund to the Federal Government all monies collected as salaries, allowances or howsoever called as member representing the constituency from Oct. 30, 2024 to the date of judgment.

“An order is made directing that the evidence of the refund of all monies collected as salaries, allowances or howsoever called be filed in the registry of this court within 30 days of the judgment of this court,” he said.

Justice Egwuatu consequently awarded a fine of N500, 000 in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants.

NAN

 

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Nigerian Forest Security Service in Anambra Congratulates Soludo on Re-election

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Nigerian Forest Security Service
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The Anambra State chapter of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), has congratulated the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, on his re-election victory last Saturday.

While congratulating the governor, whose wife Dr. Nonye Soludo, is a Patroness of the group, the leader of the NFSS in Anambra State, Commander Mazi Destiny Emmanuel Jonas, expressed optimism in continued partnership towards safeguarding Anambra State.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with this administration in safeguarding our forests, combating illegal logging, and enhancing the security of all communities across Anambra State,” Commander Jonas said.

In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the NFSS in Anambra State, CFS Chibuikem Nneke, the group said they were confident in Governor Soludo’s renewed mandate which they affirm speaks to the viability of the governor’s vision of a prosperous and safer Anambra State.

“This renewed mandate is a testament to the confidence the people of Anambra place in the governor’s vision for a safer, more prosperous state”, the statement added

Similarly, the NFSS extended it’s congratulatory message to their Patroness, Dr. Nonye Soludo, saying: “We also wish to extend our congratulations to Mr. Governor’s wife, Dr. Mrs Nonye Soludo (Mama Healthy Living), the beloved Mama Anambra whose pioneering role as the only female National Patroness of the NFSS has inspired countless women and youth in our service.

“Her unwavering support and patronage have strengthened our mission and uplifted the morale of our officers. Congratulations, Madam Patroness, and we are sure that her dedication will continue to be a beacon of hope for the entire Anambra State and Forest Security Service”, NFSS affirmed.

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It however, wished Soludo and his wife a remarkable second term in office, filled with landmark achievements.

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JUST IN: FG Suspends 15% Import Duty on Petrol, Diesel

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Anambra Fuel Price Hits ₦1,400 Per Litre
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The Federal Government has suspended its earlier plan to implement a 15% import duty on petroleum products, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) confirmed on Thursday.

In a statement signed by George Ene-Ita, Director of the Public Affairs Department, NMDPRA, the agency said the policy is “no longer in view” and urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying.

President Bola Tinubu had approved the controversial tariff on October 29, 2025, following a proposal by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji. The plan sought to impose a 15% duty on petrol and diesel imports to align import costs with domestic market realities.

The proposal, which had been scheduled to take effect on November 21, 2025, was also meant to encourage local refining by making imported fuel more expensive. The move was widely seen as an effort to protect investments in Dangote Refinery and other modular refineries across the country.

However, experts had warned that the new tariff could push pump prices higher by as much as ₦150 per litre, worsening inflation and transportation costs for consumers.

In its Thursday statement, NMDPRA clarified that the policy would not be implemented as earlier planned.

“It should be noted that the implementation of the 15% ad-valorem import duty on imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Diesel is no longer in view,” the agency stated.

The regulator also assured Nigerians that there is adequate fuel supply nationwide, noting that the country’s stock remains within acceptable sufficiency levels during this peak demand period.

“There is a robust domestic supply of petroleum products sourced from both local refineries and importation to ensure timely replenishment of stocks at storage depots and retail stations,” it added.

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NMDPRA further warned against hoarding, panic buying, or artificial price hikes by marketers. It said it will continue to monitor the market and enforce measures to prevent any disruption in fuel distribution.

“The Authority remains committed to guaranteeing energy security and ensuring smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products across Nigeria,” the statement concluded.

The agency also thanked industry stakeholders for their cooperation in maintaining stable fuel availability across the country.

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Tinubu Approves Construction of Two Federal Roads in Ekiti

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the inclusion of two key federal road projects in Ekiti State in the proposed 2026 national budget.

The projects are the Itawure–Aramoko–Ado Ekiti road and the Aramoko–Ijero–Ifaki Ekiti road.

This was confirmed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, who said the presidential approval was communicated through a letter from the Office of the President to the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji was also copied in the correspondence.

Oyebode explained that the approval followed a high-level meeting between Governor Oyebanji and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on November 9, 2025.

The discussions reportedly centered on the poor condition of federal roads across the state.

He added that the approval came amid public complaints about the deteriorating Itawure–Aramoko–Ado route. “There has been deliberate misinformation about the condition of federal roads in the state,” Oyebode said.

“However, the Tinubu-led government has already awarded three federal road contracts in Ekiti, with contractors mobilized to site.”

He further noted that the Oyebanji administration has completed the Ado–Iworoko–Ifaki road and launched several inter-city and intra-city projects over the past three years.

According to him, the two newly approved roads will ease travel, improve connectivity, and boost trade across Ekiti and neighboring states.

“These projects will open up Ekiti to new economic opportunities, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Oyebanji’s Shared Prosperity vision,” Oyebode said.

Governor Oyebanji also expressed gratitude to the President for his continued support. “On behalf of Ekiti people, I thank President Tinubu for his strategic intervention in the socioeconomic and infrastructural development of our state,” he said.

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The governor reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with the federal government, private sector, and development partners to enhance the welfare of residents.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Aramoko-Ekiti, Princess Sherifat Owolabi, recently appealed to the state government to prioritize road rehabilitation.

She warned that the worsening condition of major roads is hurting local trade and discouraging investors.

“Good roads attract investment and drive development,” Princess Owolabi said.

“We are asking the governor to come to our aid and fix our roads. The government has done well in other areas, but this issue needs urgent attention.”

She also urged indigenes in the diaspora to invest in Aramoko, saying improved infrastructure will boost transport, confidence, and commerce in the community.

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