A Rivers State High Court has overturned the suspension of Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a federal lawmaker representing the Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro constituency in the House of Representatives, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The judgment, delivered on Monday, December 2, declared the suspension null and void.
The controversy began in May when a parallel PDP Ward Caretaker Committee, reportedly loyal to the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, suspended Abiante. The committee accused him of anti-party activities, promoting factions within the ward, and associating with groups posing as part of the PDP.
Political observers have noted ongoing tensions between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, believed to be centered on the struggle for political control in the state. Abiante, who is an ally of Governor Fubara, became entangled in the dispute as these factions clashed.
In the court ruling, Justice G.O. Ollor stated that the factional committee that initiated Abiante’s suspension lacked the authority to take such action. Furthermore, the court emphasized that the lawmaker had not been given a fair hearing, rendering the suspension illegal and unconstitutional.
Reacting to the judgment, Abiante dismissed his suspension as an act orchestrated by individuals outside the party’s legitimate structure. He claimed, “Their names are not in the party’s register in the ward.” He went on to accuse the group of attempting to hinder Governor Fubara’s progress, adding confidently, “They will continue to fail.”
