APC suspends Lokpobiri, Lyon, others in Bayelsa

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), and David Lyon, the party’s nominee for governor of Bayelsa State in 2019.

The following individuals were also suspended: Godbless Diriwari, an ex-officio member of the National Executive Council; former APC state chairman Mr. Jothan Amos; state commissioner for power, Kharim Kumoko; commissioner for lands and survey, Peres Biewari; and Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader, Sabi Morgan.

The party suspended Omiebi Fuoebi, a party shareholder and APC Chairman of Ward 3 Southern Ijaw, together with all ward executive members, and Claudius Odobu, the APC Chairman of Ward 4 Southern Ijaw, along with all ward executive members.

The APC Chairman in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Senator Mitin Eniekenemi, alongside executive members of the local government, announced Lokpobiri and Kumoko’s indefinite suspension on Friday during a briefing with journalists in Yenagoa.

He claimed that Lokpobiri and his supporters have been involved in anti-party activities since the state’s 2019 governorship race and that his failure to get the APC ticket was the reason behind his actions.

“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,” Eniekenemi stated.

Also, Chief David Lyon and seven others were suspended for alleged anti-party activities, according to a statement by the executive council members of the local government and the APC Chairman for the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Ebikazi Gbefa.

Gbefa accused them of plotting against Abel Ebifemowei, the APC candidate in the 2020 Bayelsa Central senatorial by-election, citing Article 21.3(I) of the party constitution.

According to Gbefa, “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 stated.