The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and its 2019 governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, over alleged anti-party activities.
The suspension also affects the state Commissioner for Power, Kharim Kumoko; Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Peres Biewari; former APC state chairman, Jothan Amos; National Executive Council ex-officio member, Godbless Diriwari; and Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader, Sabi Morgan.
Additionally, party stakeholders such as the APC Chairman of Ward 3 in Southern Ijaw, Omiebi Fuoebi, and all ward executive members, as well as the APC Ward 4 Chairman, Claudius Odobu, and all ward executives, have been suspended.
Speaking to journalists separately on Friday in Yenagoa, the state capital, the APC Chairman for Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, alongside other local government executives, announced the indefinite suspension of Lokpobiri and Kumoko.
Senator stated that the action followed “the report of the disciplinary committee, which was established in line with Article 21.3 (i) of our party’s 2022 amended constitution.”
He accused Lokpobiri and his followers of engaging in anti-party activities since the 2019 governorship election in the state, attributing these actions to Lokpobiri’s failure to secure the APC governorship ticket.
Specifically, he alleged that Lokpobiri used his supporters to file court cases against the party and also set up a factional state secretariat for the APC.
He stated, “In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, he led a group of disgruntled party members to openly support and work for Gov. Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and was compensated by by the PDP-led government of Bayelsa State.
“His personal aide, Kharim Kumoko, was nominated by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and appointed as the current Commissioner for Power in Bayelsa State.
“It is on record that since the day he was appointed as minister, he has been fighting the party in Bayelsa State and has refused to make peace despite all entreaties.”
Earlier, the APC Chairman for Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Ebikazi Gbefa, along with members of the local government executive council, announced the suspension of Chief David Lyon and seven others for alleged anti-party activities.
Gbefa, referencing Article 21.3(i) of the party’s constitution, accused them of conspiring against the APC candidate for the 2020 Bayelsa Central senatorial by-election, Abel Ebifemowei.
He said “The same set of stakeholders and their supporters openly worked against our National Assembly candidates” pointing out that they also worked for Diri and the PDP in the 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
“Some of them were compensated with contracts and appointments. For example, Perepuighe Biewari who was Chief David Lyon’s Personal Assistant, was nominated by Chief David Lyon and appointed as the current Commissioner for Lands and Survey in the Gov. Douye Diri administration in Bayelsa State.
“As we strive to rebuild the party ahead of 2027, it is our resolve to strengthen the party and build confidence in party grassroots members who believe in and have sacrificed remarkably to the party in the state,” he added.
Both groups said they have referred the disciplinary actions to the state executive council for ratification.
Follow Parallel Facts on WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
