The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has suspended Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, along with Chief David Lyon, the party’s 2019 gubernatorial candidate, due to alleged anti-party activities.
Also suspended are Kharim Kumoko, the Commissioner for Power; Barrister Peres Biewari, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey; former state chairman Mr. Jothan Amos; Hon. Godbless Diriwari, an ex-officio member of the National Executive Council; and Sabi Morgan, the Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader.
Additionally, Omiebi Fuoebi, the APC Chairman of Ward 3 in Southern Ijaw, along with all ward executive members, and Claudius Odobu, the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Southern Ijaw, and his executive members, were also suspended.
In a statement to journalists in Yenagoa on Friday, October 11, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, the APC Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, announced the indefinite suspensions of Lokpobiri and Kumoko, accompanied by local government executive members.
Mitin said the action followed a “report of the disciplinary committee set up in accordance with Article 21.3 (i) of our party’s constitution 2022 as amended.”
He accused Lokpobiri and his followers of involvement in anti-party activities since the 2019 governorship election in the state, alleging that the minister’s actions were borne out of his failure to secure the APC ticket.
Specifically, Mitin said Lokpobiri used “his supporters to institute cases in court against the party and also establishing a factional state secretariat of the party.”
He further claimed that the minister “in the 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State, led a group of disgruntled party members to openly support and worked for Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and was compensated by the PDP-led government of Bayelsa State.
“His personal aide, Engr. 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 had been fighting the party in Bayelsa State and had refused to make peace despite all entreaties.”
Earlier, the APC chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Mr Ebikazi Gbefa, and the local government executive council members announced the suspension of Chief David Lyon and seven others for alleged anti-party activities.
Gbefa cited Article 21.3(I) of the party’s constitution and accused them of conspiring against the APC candidate in the 2020 Bayelsa Central senatorial bye-election, Mr Abel Ebifemowei.
He said: “The same set of stakeholders and their supporters openly worked against our National Assembly candidates.”
He claimed that they also worked for Governor Diri and PDP in the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Gbefa claimed: “Some of them were compensated with contracts and appointments. For example, Barrister 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 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 for the party in the state.”
Both groups said they have referred the disciplinary actions to the state executive council for ratification.
They refused to take any questions from reporters.
Recall that Diri had assured Bayelsans that he would form an all-inclusive government during his second inauguration on February 14, 2024.
