The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has declared the suspension of Awaji-Inombek Abiante, the federal lawmaker representing the Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as null and void.
Abiante, a close ally of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, was allegedly suspended in May by a parallel PDP Ward Caretaker Executive, loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. This suspension took place in his Ward 1, Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The factional caretaker committee, led by Chairman Dike Bara and 13 others, claimed that Abiante had engaged in anti-party activities.
They accused him of promoting factionalism at the ward level and aligning himself with a group masquerading as the party.
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However, in a ruling on Monday in the case (Suit No: PHC/1391/CS/2024), Justice G.O. Ollor concluded that the factional PDP Caretaker Committee lacked the constitutional authority to suspend the National Assembly member.
The Court emphasized that Abiante had not been granted a fair hearing, declaring the actions of Bara and his associates as illegal, unconstitutional, and therefore dismissed.
In response to the ruling, Abiante expressed that the Court had vindicated him, reaffirming his stance that his suspension from the PDP was orchestrated by individuals without any legal standing within the party’s constitution.
He further stated that the actions were the result of disgruntled politicians attempting to undermine the Governor Fubara-led administration and disrupt the progress of the Rivers State Government in delivering much-needed development to the people.
“I had said it months back that this illegal action won’t stand because as a member of the PDP, I’m well acquainted with the Constitution of our great party and that of Nigeria. Today’s ruling by the Court has further challenged the membership status of those behind the illegal action. Let me once again reiterate that those who sat and made the announcement in May are not members of the PDP because their names are nowhere written in the PDP Register of Ward 1, Ngo, Andoni Local Government. These are people hired to be a clog in the wheel of development and good governance in Rivers State championed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. They will continue to fail.”
He urged his constituents to maintain their support for Governor Fubara, emphasizing that he will keep working closely with the Governor to improve the lives of the people.
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