The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has declared as null and void the purported suspension of the federal Lawmaker representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Abiante from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Abiante, an ally of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and representative of the Governor’s Federal Constituency, was allegedly suspended in May by a parallel PDP Ward Caretaker Executive loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike in his Ward 1, Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The factional caretaker executive led by its chairman, Dike Bara and 13 others, had announced the suspension of Abiante for anti-party activities, saying that the federal lawmaker is not only promoting factions at the ward level but also belonging to a group under the guise of the party.
However, in a judgement on Monday in suit no: PHC/1391/CS/2024 between Hon Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante and Dike Bara and three others, Justice G.O. Ollor, said the factional PDP Caretaker Committee lacks the constitutional right to suspend the National Assembly member.
The Court ruled that the federal Lawmaker was not given a fair hearing, stressing that any action carried out by Mr Dike Bara and his colleagues was illegal, and unconstitutional and stands dismissed.
Reacting to the ruling, the member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency, Awaji-Inombek Abiante said the Court has vindicated his earlier position that his purported suspension from the PDP was carried out by those who have no legal right by the party’s constitution to make such announcement.
Abiante maintained that those behind the action are not members of the PDP and as such do not have any knowledge of the Party’s constitution, adding that the action was part of plans by disgruntled politicians to frustrate the Governor Fubara-led Rivers State Government from delivering the needed development to the people of the State.
“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 therefore called on his constituents to sustain their support for Governor Fubara, saying he will continue to synergise with the Governor to better the lives of the people.