The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has suspended the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the 2019 governorship candidate of the party in the state, David Lyon, for alleged anti-party activities.
Also suspended are the state Commissioner for Power, Kharim Kumoko, Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Peres Biewari, who are serving in the government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while being APC members.
Others suspended are the 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.
Also, a party stakeholder and APC Chairman, Ward 3 Southern Ijaw, Omiebi Fuoebi, including all ward executive members as well as the APC Ward 4 Southern Ijaw, Claudius Odobu and all the ward executive members, were all suspended by the party.
This was disclosed during a press conference in Yenagoa on Friday by the Chairman of APC in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator.
All the local government executive members attended the press conference in which Lokpobiri and Kumoko were handed down indefinite suspension.
The Ekeremor LG chairman of the party 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 said those suspended have been involved in anti-party activities since the 2019 governorship election in the state, and specifically, accused Lokpobiri of using “his supporters to institute cases in court against the party and also establishing a factional state secretariat of the party.”
According to Senator, “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.”
Before the suspension was handed down, the APC Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Ebikazi Gbefa, and the local government executive council members had announced the suspension of Lyon and seven others for alleged anti-party activities.
Gbefa accused them of working against the 2020 Bayelsa Central senatorial bye-election, Abel Ebifemowei.
Justifying their action which he said was anchored on Article 21.3(I) of the party constitution, 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.
According to them, the suspension has been forwarded to the state executive committee for ratification.
Lokpobiri and Lyon and those affected could not be reached for comments. They have also not reacted to the development as of the time of filing this report.