Bayelsa Deputy Governor Drags State Assembly to Court Over Alleged Impeachment Plot

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has filed a lawsuit against the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, alleging a plot to impeach him for refusing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/221/2025, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Ewhrudjakpo claimed that certain lawmakers were being pressured to remove him because he declined to follow Governor Douye Diri, who recently resigned from the PDP.

Ewhrudjakpo Seeks Court Protection

Through his counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, the deputy governor alleged that the impeachment threat was politically motivated, insisting that he had a constitutional right to remain in his party of choice.

He also revealed that some local government chairpersons, including Alice Tange of Sagbama LGA, were facing similar intimidation for refusing to defect.

Ewhrudjakpo urged the court to issue interim orders restraining the House of Assembly from commencing impeachment proceedings against him, citing Sections 188(5)-(9), (11) and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He further asked the court to bar the assembly from recognising any member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or other political parties as the deputy governor of Bayelsa State.

Additionally, the deputy governor requested the court to prevent the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Director-General of the DSS, and the Bayelsa State Attorney-General from withdrawing his security detail or aiding any illegal removal process.

Court Orders Defendants to Appear

After hearing the ex parte motion on October 27, Justice Emeka Nwite directed all defendants — including the Bayelsa House of Assembly, its Speaker, the IGP, the DSS DG, the State Attorney-General, the Chief Judge, and the Clerk of the Assembly — to appear and show cause why the interim orders should not be granted.

Justice Nwite noted that the directive was necessary in the interest of justice and adjourned the case to November 13 for further hearing.