Bayelsa Deputy Governor Drags Assembly to Court Over Alleged Impeachment Plot

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has taken legal action against the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, alleging an attempt to remove him from office for refusing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/221/2025, Ewhrudjakpo claimed that lawmakers were being pressured to impeach him because he chose to remain in the PDP, the party under which he and Governor Douye Diri were elected. While Governor Diri recently resigned from the party, the deputy governor maintained his membership.

Represented by his lawyer, Reuben Egwuaba, Ewhrudjakpo further alleged that some local government chairpersons, including Alice Tange of Sagbama Local Government Area, were being threatened with removal for also refusing to defect from the PDP.

He sought several interim court orders, including one stopping the House of Assembly from beginning or carrying out any impeachment proceedings against him based on his continued loyalty to the PDP. Ewhrudjakpo argued that such actions would go against Sections 188(5)–(9), (11) and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The deputy governor also asked the court to restrain the assembly from recognising or engaging any member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Bayelsa’s deputy governor. In addition, he requested an order preventing the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Bayelsa State Attorney-General from withdrawing his security protection until the case is determined.

After hearing the ex parte motion on October 27, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the defendants to appear before the court to explain why the interim injunction should not be granted.

Those named in the suit include the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, the 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 the defendants must appear in court to show cause before any decision on the injunction is made. The case was adjourned until November 13 for further hearing.