Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has taken legal action against the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and other top officials over an alleged plot to impeach him.
According to court documents obtained by Mediaplusng.com, Ewhrudjakpo claims that members of the House of Assembly are being pressured to remove him for refusing to resign from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the platform through which he and Governor Douye Diri were elected.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by his lawyer, Reuben Egwuaba, alleges that the lawmakers have been holding secret meetings to plan his removal. Ewhrudjakpo also alleges that several local government chairmen—including Mrs. Alice Tange, the Chairperson of Sagbama Local Government Area—are facing threats of dismissal for also refusing to defect from the PDP alongside the governor.
After listening to Ewhrudjakpo’s counsel, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered all defendants to appear before the court and explain why the interim reliefs sought by the Deputy Governor should not be granted. The court listed the defendants to include the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, the IGP, the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), the Attorney General of Bayelsa State, the Chief Judge, and the Clerk of the Assembly.
Justice Nwite stated that it is in the interest of justice for the defendants to appear and show cause before any interim order is granted. The case has been adjourned until November 13, 2025, for the defendants to respond.
In his motion, Ewhrudjakpo is seeking a court order to restrain the defendants from initiating or carrying out impeachment proceedings against him over his refusal to defect from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other political party. He also requests an order stopping any attempt to withdraw his security details or recognize another person as Deputy Governor.
The Deputy Governor further asks the court to prevent the Assembly from holding any meeting, sitting, or conference that could lead to his removal. He argues that any such move would violate Sections 36(1) and 188(5–11) of the Nigerian Constitution, which protect the rights of elected officials and outline due process for impeachment.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the political tension in Bayelsa escalated after Governor Douye Diri reportedly resigned from the PDP, while his deputy, Ewhrudjakpo, chose to remain in the party. The legal battle now raises questions about loyalty, political pressure, and constitutional rights within the state’s leadership.
