…Says move to remove him linked to refusal to dump PDP
Omobolaji Adekunle
Tension has gripped Bayelsa State following a legal action instituted by the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, against the State House of Assembly, its Speaker, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), over an alleged plot to impeach him.
Ewhrudjakpo, who filed the suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, accused members of the Assembly of being pressured to remove him from office for refusing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Douye Diri recently resigned from the PDP, but his deputy has chosen to remain in the party a decision he claimed has made him a target of political persecution.
Assembly, security agencies joined in suit
According to the deputy governor’s lawyer, Reuben Egwuaba, the alleged plot also targets some local government chairmen, including the Sagbama Council boss, Mrs. Alice Tanga, who are facing threats of removal for declining to dump the PDP.
At the hearing on October 27, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered all the respondents including the Bayelsa House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Chief Judge, the IGP, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Attorney General of the State to appear before the court and explain why they should not be restrained from taking any action against Ewhrudjakpo.
The judge said the interim order became necessary to ensure justice and maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Court fixes Nov 13 for hearing
Justice Nwite fixed November 13 for the appearance of all the defendants, warning that if they fail to show up, the court will proceed with the case in their absence.
Ewhrudjakpo is seeking an order restraining the Assembly from initiating or continuing any impeachment process against him. He is also asking the court to stop the police, DSS, or Attorney General from withdrawing his security or taking any action capable of undermining his office.
The deputy governor further prayed the court to restrain anyone from appointing or recognising a new deputy governor while his case is pending.
Political tension rises
The development has heightened political tension in the oil-rich state, with observers watching closely how the case may impact the stability of the Douye Diri administration and the evolving political realignments within the Bayelsa PDP.
