The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has reversed the suspension of the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, along with several other senior party members.
This decision followed an extended meeting involving the state executive committee, state Assembly members from the party, and local government leaders.
The primary focus of the meeting was to address the internal crisis caused by the suspension of key stakeholders in Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor, Sagbama, and Yenagoa local government areas.
Among those previously suspended were prominent figures such as Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Chief David Lyon, the party’s former governorship candidate in the 2019 election.
Following a press conference on October 15 at the APC secretariat in Yenagoa, a communique was issued.
Signed by Chief Dennis Otiotio-Odoni, the state chairman, and Acting State Secretary Owutuamo Tamaranpreye, the statement confirmed that the suspensions were rescinded after a request from the minority caucus of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and thorough discussions within the party.
The communique outlined the party’s decision to defer the ratification of the suspensions to allow for additional consultations with key stakeholders, following recommendations from the APC caucus in the state Assembly.
Additionally, the extended executive committee and the APC Assembly Caucus condemned the recent actions of the Bayelsa Commissioner for Power, Mr. Kharin Kumoku, who reportedly led a group of individuals to attempt an attack on the APC state secretariat.
The party urged Governor Douye Diri to address the issue by cautioning the commissioner and called on both the Commissioner of Police, Francis A. Idu, and the state Director of DSS to investigate the incident.
The Bayelsa APC emphasized its dedication to democratic values and expressed its intent to resolve disputes through constructive dialogue.
The party also encouraged members and stakeholders to uphold decorum, stressing the importance of unity for the party’s success in the state.