The Rivers State High Court has nullified the suspension of federal lawmaker Awaji-Inombek Abiante from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abiante represents the Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the suspension was handed down in May by a parallel PDP Ward Caretaker Executive loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. It should be noted that Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara have been at odds with each other allegedly over the control of political structures in the state.
The lawmaker was accused of anti-party activities, promoting factions at the ward level, and belonging to a group under the guise of the party. However, Justice G.O. Ollor, while delivering the judgment on Monday, December 2, ruled that the factional PDP Caretaker Committee lacked the constitutional right to suspend Abiante.
Justice Ollor stated that Abiante was not given a fair hearing, emphasizing that the action carried out by the factional leaders was illegal. He declared that the federal lawmaker’s suspension was unconstitutional and stood dismissed.
Reacting to the judgment, Abiante described those who suspended him as individuals who are not genuine members of the PDP. He alleged that their names are not in the party’s register in the ward, and that they were hired to disrupt the progress of Rivers State under Governor Fubara’s leadership.
“They will continue to fail,” he added.