A Federal High Court in Abuja has halted all moves by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. The court also ordered the Speaker of the House and the Assembly to appear before it to explain why they should not be permanently restrained from taking any further steps to remove the Deputy Governor from office.
The presiding judge, Justice Emeka, gave the order on October 27, while ruling on an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2219/2025, filed by the embattled Deputy Governor against the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and its Speaker.
In his suit, Ewhrudjakpo sought an order of the court restraining the Assembly from initiating or carrying out any impeachment process against him over his alleged refusal to defect from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the expiration of his four-year tenure.
According to the motion, the Deputy Governor maintained that he was elected on the platform of the PDP and could not be compelled to switch allegiance to another political party contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association and political choice.
Furthermore, Ewhrudjakpo also urged the court to restrain the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State from withdrawing his security details or undermining his official functions as Deputy Governor pending the determination of the substantive motion.
Justice Emeka, in granting the interim order, directed all parties to maintain the status quo until the hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, which has been scheduled for November 13, 2025.
The case has sparked political tension in Bayelsa State, with observers suggesting that the impeachment threat may be politically motivated following Ewhrudjakpo’s resistance to defecting from the PDP to the ruling APC in the state.
Legal analysts say the court’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s crucial role in safeguarding democratic values and preventing political intimidation within state institutions.
As the matter progresses, all eyes will be on the court’s final ruling, which could redefine the political landscape of Bayelsa State ahead of the next election cycle.