The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the party’s 2019 governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, for alleged anti-party activities.
The suspension also extends to the state's Commissioner for Power, Kharim Kumoko; Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Peres Biewari; former APC state chairman, Mr. Jothan Amos; an ex-officio member of the National Executive Council, Godbless Diriwari; and Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader, Sabi Morgan.
Additionally, APC Chairman for Ward 3 in Southern Ijaw, Omiebi Fuoebi, along with all ward executive members, as well as APC Ward 4 Chairman, Mr. Claudius Odobu, and all ward executive members, were also suspended by the party.
In a separate briefing on Friday in Yenagoa, the state capital, the Chairman of APC in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, flanked by the local government executive members, announced the indefinite suspension of Lokpobiri and Kumoko.
Senator explained that the suspension 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 engaging in anti-party activities since the 2019 governorship election in the state, citing his actions as stemming from his failure to secure the APC ticket.
Specifically, he stated that Lokpobiri used “his supporters to institute legal cases against the party and to establish a factional state secretariat.”
He added, “In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, he led a group of disgruntled party members to openly support and work for Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was compensated by the PDP-led government in Bayelsa State.”
Senator further alleged that Lokpobiri’s personal aide, Kharim Kumoko, was nominated by Lokpobiri and appointed as the current Commissioner for Power in Bayelsa State.
“It is on record that since his appointment as minister, Lokpobiri has been fighting the party in Bayelsa State and has refused all attempts at reconciliation,” he said.
Earlier, the APC Chairman for Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Ebikazi Gbefa, alongside 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 constitution and accused them of conspiring against the APC candidate in the 2020 Bayelsa Central senatorial bye-election, Abel Ebifemowei.
He said, “The same stakeholders and their supporters openly worked against our National Assembly candidates and for Diri and the PDP in the 2023 Bayelsa State governorship election.”
He added, “Some were compensated with contracts and appointments. For example, Perepuighe Biewari, who was Chief David Lyon’s Personal Assistant, was nominated by Lyon and appointed as the current Commissioner for Lands and Survey in the Governor Douye Diri administration.”
“As we strive to rebuild the party ahead of 2027, it is our resolve to strengthen the party and build confidence among grassroots members who believe in and have sacrificed for the APC in the state,” Gbefa concluded.
Both groups stated that they have referred the disciplinary actions to the state executive council for ratification and refused to take questions from journalists.