Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, deputy governor of Bayelsa state, has filed a suit against the state house of assembly over an alleged plan to impeach him.
In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/221/2025, Ewhrudjakpo alleged that members of the Bayelsa assembly were under pressure to remove him from office for refusing to resign from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — the platform on which he and Douye Diri, the state governor, were elected.
Governor Diri recently resigned from the PDP, but Ewhrudjakpo has chosen to remain.
Through his lawyer, Reuben Egwuaba, the deputy governor told the Federal High Court in Abuja that some local government chairpersons, including Alice Tange of Sagbama LGA, were also facing threats for staying with the PDP.
Ewhrudjakpo is seeking interim court orders to stop the Bayelsa House of Assembly from impeaching him contrary to sections 188(5)-(9), (11) and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He argued that his refusal to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other party should not be a ground for removal before his tenure ends.
He is also asking the court to restrain the assembly from initiating or conducting impeachment proceedings or meetings against him for the same reason and from recognising or dealing with any member of the APC as deputy governor of the state.
Additionally, Ewhrudjakpo wants an order restraining the inspector-general of police (IGP), director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Bayelsa state attorney-general from withdrawing his security protection as deputy governor pending the determination of the motion on notice.
After listening to Egwuaba move an ex parte motion on October 27, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, directed the defendants to appear before the court and show cause why the interim orders sought by the plaintiff should not be granted.
After hearing Egwuaba’s ex parte motion on October 27, Justice Emeka Nwite directed all defendants including the Bayelsa State 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 orders should not be granted.
Justice Nwite said the directive would serve the interest of justice and adjourned the matter to November 13 for the defendants to appear.