By A lawsuit seeking to declare the seat of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, vacant has surfaced at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case, filed under Suit No. FHC/Abj/CS/28/1/2025 on February 18, 2025, was initiated by Hon. Augustine Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP chairman, alongside Hon. ThankGod Okeke and three others. The plaintiffs are believed to be loyalists of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Court documents revealed that the plaintiffs argue Ugochinyere automatically lost his seat after being expelled from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which sponsored his election.
They are asking the court to determine whether, under Sections 65(2)(b) and 68(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a lawmaker expelled from their party before the end of their term must vacate their seat unless protected by an exception in the law.
The suit specifically questions whether Ugochinyere’s expulsion means he has “automatically lost his seat” in the National Assembly.
The case is expected to spark political tension as both sides prepare for a legal battle over the fate of the lawmaker’s position.
