The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has reversed the suspension of Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a member of the House of Representatives loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his ward.
Abiante was suspended by the PDP in Ngor, Ward 1 in Andoni Local Government Area, for allegedly creating a faction in the party. However, the court on Friday made orders of interim injunction voiding his suspension following a suit he filed challenging the punitive measure.
Justice G.O. Ollor, the Presiding Judge, restrained the defendants, including the PDP Caretaker Committee Ward Chairman and Secretary, from tampering with Abiante’s membership or depriving him of his rights as a full member of the party. The judge also prevented them from preventing Abiante from participating in all PDP activities at the ward, local government, federal constituency, senatorial district, and state levels.
Additionally, the court restrained the defendants from forwarding the letter of suspension to any PDP executive bodies or organs at the zonal, state, and national levels aimed at affirming the suspension.
The court also protected Abiante’s seat as a member of the National Assembly, ordering the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice.
