Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to halt an alleged plot by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to impeach him for refusing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In an originating summons filed through his counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, Ewhrudjakpo alleges that members of the Assembly are under pressure to remove him from office because he declined to resign from the PDP alongside Governor Douye Diri, who recently quit the party.

The suit lists multiple defendants, including the Speaker of the House, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), the state’s Attorney-General, the Chief Judge, and the Clerk of the Assembly. Ewhrudjakpo claims lawmakers are actively plotting his removal.

He further alleges that some local government chairmen — notably Sagbama LGA Chairperson, Alice Tange  are being threatened with sack for refusing to defect from the PDP with the governor.

After hearing the ex-parte motion moved by Ewhrudjakpo’s lawyer, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered all defendants to appear before the court to show cause why the interim orders sought should not be granted.

According to Justice Nwite, “the interest of justice will be met by issuing an order for all the defendants to appear and show cause…”

The matter was adjourned to November 13, with the judge warning that failure to appear will prompt the court to proceed with hearing the motion on notice.

Among the interim reliefs sought, the deputy governor wants the court to restrain the defendants from:

Initiating or conducting impeachment proceedings against him,

Disregarding constitutional provisions on impeachment,

Recognizing or swearing-in any APC member as deputy governor,

Holding meetings aimed at igniting impeachment,

Withdrawing his official security and privileges.

Ewhrudjakpo insists that refusing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not form the basis for impeachment before the expiration of his four-year tenure.