Bayelsa deputy gov sues assembly over alleged impeachment plot

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, alleging moves to impeach him for refusing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/221/2025, Ewhrudjakpo claimed that lawmakers were being pressured to remove him from office because he declined to resign from the PDP, the platform on which he and Governor Douye Diri were elected. While Diri recently dumped the PDP, the deputy governor has remained a member of the party.

Through his counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, Ewhrudjakpo also alleged that several local government chairpersons — including Alice Tange of Sagbama LGA — were facing threats of removal for similarly refusing to defect alongside the governor.

He is seeking a series of interim court orders, including one restraining the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from commencing or conducting any impeachment proceedings against him for remaining in the PDP. The deputy governor argued that such actions would violate Sections 188(5–9), (11) and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Ewhrudjakpo further urged the court to bar the assembly from recognising or dealing with any All Progressives Congress (APC) member as the deputy governor of the state. He also sought an order restraining the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Bayelsa State Attorney-General from withdrawing his security protection pending the determination of the motion on notice.

After hearing Egwuaba’s ex parte motion on October 27, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered all the defendants to appear before the court to show cause why the interim reliefs sought by the plaintiff should not be granted.

The defendants named in the suit include the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, the Inspector-General of Police, the DG of the DSS, the Bayelsa State Attorney-General, the State Chief Judge, and the Clerk of the Assembly.

Justice Nwite ruled that justice would best be served by directing all the defendants to appear and show cause before the court considers the application for an interim injunction.

The case has been adjourned until November 13 for the defendants to show cause, after which the court will proceed to hear the substantive motion on notice.