Court Stops Impeachment Moves Against Bayelsa Deputy Governor

The court has halted any impeachment proceedings against Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, ordering the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and its Speaker to appear in court to explain why they should not be restrained from initiating impeachment moves. This order was given by Justice Emeka Nwite on October 27, 2025, following an ex-parte motion filed by Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Ewhrudjakpo’s legal action seeks to prevent the State House of Assembly from starting impeachment proceedings against him due to his refusal to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), unlike the State Governor Douye Diri who recently resigned from the PDP. The Deputy Governor argued that he intends to serve his full four-year tenure as an elected official on the PDP platform.

In addition to restraining the House of Assembly and its Speaker, Ewhrudjakpo is also seeking court orders to prevent the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Director-General of the State Security Service (DSS), and the Bayelsa State Attorney-General from withdrawing his security detail while the motion is pending. The court has adjourned the substantive hearing for November 13, 2025.

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The case highlights the political tension following the Governor’s defection from the PDP and the pressures faced by officials who choose to remain with the party. Ewhrudjakpo’s suit contends that any impeachment attempt based on his PDP membership violates constitutional provisions, specifically sections 188(5)-(9), (11) and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).