The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) decision to suspend federal lawmaker Awaji-Inombek Abiante was overturned by the Rivers State High Court.
Abiante is the representative for the federal constituency of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro in the House of Representatives.
A parallel PDP Ward Caretaker Executive who was devoted to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike reportedly handed down the punishment in May. It should be mentioned that there has reportedly been conflict between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara regarding control of the state’s political structures.
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The lawmaker was charged with advocating factions at the ward level, engaging in anti-party activities, and being a member of a group masquerading as the party. On Monday, December 2, Justice G.O. Ollor, however, declared in his ruling that the PDP Caretaker Committee, which was divided, did not have the constitutional authority to suspend Abiante.
Justice Ollor emphasized that the action taken by the factional leaders was unlawful and said that Abiante was not given a fair hearing. The federal lawmaker was removed after he ruled that the suspension was illegal.
Following the ruling, Abiante characterized the people who suspended him as not being true PDP members. He said that their names are not on the ward’s party register and that they were employed to obstruct Rivers State’s development under Governor Fubara’s direction.
“They will keep failing,” he continued.
