Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has taken legal action against the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, challenging what he described as a plot to remove him from office. The suit was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under originating summons FHC/ABJ/CS/221/2025.
Ewhrudjakpo alleges that members of the Assembly are under pressure to initiate impeachment proceedings against him because he refused to resign from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the platform on which he and Governor Douye Diri were elected. While Governor Diri recently left the PDP, Ewhrudjakpo has maintained his membership in the party.
Through his lawyer, Reuben Egwuaba, the deputy governor also claimed that some local government chairpersons, including Alice Tange of Sagbama LGA, faced threats of removal for similarly refusing to defect from the PDP alongside the governor.
Ewhrudjakpo is seeking several interim orders, including:
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Restraining the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from initiating or conducting any impeachment proceedings against him.
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Preventing the Assembly from recognising or dealing with any member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as deputy governor.
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Directing the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Bayelsa State Attorney-General to maintain his security protection until the case is resolved.
He argued that any attempt to remove him would violate Sections 188(5)-(9), (11), and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Justice Emeka Nwite, after hearing the deputy governor’s ex parte motion on October 27 (certified copy dated October 29), ordered the defendants to appear before the court and show cause why the interim orders should not be granted.
The defendants in the suit include:
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Bayelsa State House of Assembly and its Speaker
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Inspector-General of Police
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Director-General of the Department of State Services
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Bayelsa State Attorney-General
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State Chief Judge
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Clerk of the Assembly
Justice Nwite ruled that the interest of justice requires the defendants to appear and provide reasons before the court decides on the interim injunction. The case has been adjourned to November 13 for the defendants to show cause, after which the court will hear the motion on notice.
This suit marks a significant escalation in the political tension in Bayelsa State, highlighting the growing rift following Governor Diri’s defection from the PDP.
