Court Orders Reinstatement Of Suspended Pro-Fubara Lawmaker By PDP

In a significant legal development, the High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has nullified the suspension of Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a member of the House of Representatives affiliated with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his ward.

Abiante had faced suspension from the PDP in Ngor, Ward 1 in Andoni Local Government Area, over allegations of factionalism within the party. However, following a lawsuit filed by Abiante challenging the decision, the court issued interim injunctions on Friday, effectively overturning his suspension.

Presiding Judge Justice G.O. Ollor granted the injunctions, which bar the defendants, including the PDP Caretaker Committee Ward Chairman and Secretary, from interfering with Abiante’s membership status or denying him his rights as a full-fledged party member. The court further prohibited them from obstructing Abiante’s participation in any PDP activities at various levels, including ward, local government, federal constituency, senatorial district, and state.

Moreover, the court restrained the defendants from transmitting the suspension letter to any PDP executive bodies or organs at the zonal, state, and national levels, effectively halting any attempts to uphold the suspension.

Significantly, the court also upheld Abiante’s position as a member of the National Assembly, ordering all parties involved to maintain the status quo until further notice pending the determination of the motion on notice.