The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has suspended several prominent members, including Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, and 2019 governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon, over alleged anti-party activities.
The party leadership in Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor Local Government Areas (LGAs) announced the suspensions separately on Friday, citing the disciplinary committee’s report, established under Article 21.3 (i) of the party’s constitution.
In Southern Ijaw LGA, those suspended alongside Chief David Lyon include:
– Mr. Jothan Amos (Former State Chairman of the APC, Bayelsa State)
– Hon. Godbless Diriwari (Ex-Officio member, National Executive of the party)
– Hon. Omiebi Fuoebi (Party stakeholder)
– Sabi Morgan (LGA APC Youth Leader)
– Barr. Peres Biewari (Current Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Bayelsa State)
APC Chairman, Southern Ijaw LGA, Mr. Ebikazi Gbefa, stated, “Recall that the said stakeholders and members of the party have been involved in anti-party activities since the Senatorial bye-election in 2020… For the sake of a united party, their actions were overlooked, but we can no longer tolerate such behavior.”
Gbefa continued, “In the 2023 National Assembly elections, they openly worked against our candidates. In the 2023 gubernatorial election, they worked for Gov. Douye Diri of the People’s Democratic Party… 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.”
In Ekeremor LGA, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and his followers, including Engr. Karin Kumoko (Current Commissioner for Power, Bayelsa State), were suspended for similar reasons.
Party Chairman, Senator Mitin Eniekenimi, noted, “The Minister for State Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has been involved in anti-party activities since the 2019 gubernatorial election… He led a group to openly support Gov. Douye Diri in the 2023 election and was compensated by the PDP-led government.”
The suspensions have been transmitted to the State Executive Committee of the APC for ratification. The party executives vowed to investigate and take action against other members involved in anti-party activities.
Signatories to the suspension notices include:
– Ebikazi Gbefa (LGA APC Chairman, Southern Ijaw)
– October Woyinkeditonmene (LGA APC Deputy Chairman, Southern Ijaw)
– Mitin Eniekenimi (LGA APC Chairman, Ekeremor)
– Loki Ebikeniye Misoro (LGA APC Secretary, Ekeremor)
The suspensions aim to strengthen party discipline and unity ahead of future elections.
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