ABUJA, Nigeria — Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has taken legal action against the state House of Assembly, alleging a plot to remove him from office due to his refusal to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In an originating summons filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/221/2025, Ewhrudjakpo claimed that lawmakers were under political pressure to impeach him after he declined to leave the PDP.
His principal, Governor Douye Diri, recently resigned from the party, but Ewhrudjakpo has remained.
Through his counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, the deputy governor alleged that local government chairpersons loyal to the PDP, including Alice Tange of Sagbama LGA, were also facing threats of removal for refusing to follow the governor out of the party.
Ewhrudjakpo is seeking interim orders restraining the Bayelsa assembly from initiating or pursuing impeachment proceedings against him on the grounds of political party affiliation.
He argued that removing him for refusing to defect would violate sections 188(5)-(9), (11) and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which protect elected officials from arbitrary removal.
He also asked the court to restrain the assembly from recognising any member of the APC or another party as deputy governor and sought an order preventing the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Bayelsa State Attorney-General from withdrawing his security details pending determination of the suit.
After hearing the ex parte motion on Monday, October 27, 2025, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the defendants to appear and show cause why the interim injunctions should not be granted.
The judge held that the order was necessary “in the interest of justice.”
Listed as defendants in the suit are 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.
“The interest of justice will be met by issuing an order for all the defendants to appear and show cause why an order of interim injunction should not be granted against them pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the plaintiff,” Nwite ruled.
The case has been adjourned to Friday, November 13, 2025, for the defendants to show cause. Should they fail to appear, the court will proceed to hear the motion on notice.
