De latest development for Bayelsa State politics be say di All Progressives Congress (APC) don suspend some of its bigwigs, including Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and di party’s 2019 governorship candidate, David Lyon. Dis suspension happen because of alleged anti-party activities.
Lokpobiri, wey be Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and Engr. Kharim Kumoko, wey be Commissioner for Power in Bayelsa, were suspended by di APC in Ekeremor Local Government Area. Di Chairman of APC in Ekeremor, Mitin Eniekenemi, say di suspension follow di report of di disciplinary committee set up under Article 21.3(1) of di APC Constitution. He accuse Lokpobiri and his followers of involving in anti-party activities since di 2019 governorship election in di state, saying Lokpobiri use his supporters to institute cases in court against di party and also establish a factional state secretariat of di party.
In addition, di APC in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area also suspend David Lyon and Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Peres Biewari, along with six other members. Dem accuse dem of conspiring against di APC candidate in di 2020 Bayelsa Central senatorial bye-election and working for Governor Douye Diri of di Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in di 2023 governorship election. Some of dem were compensated with contracts and appointments by di PDP-led government in Bayelsa State.
Di full list of suspended APC leaders in Bayelsa include Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, David Lyon, Engr. Kharim Kumoko, Barr. Peres Biewari, Godbless Diriwari, Sabi Morgan, Jothan Amos, Omiebi Fuoebi, and Claudius Odobu, along with all ward executive members of APC Ward 3 and Ward 4 in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Di suspensions dey part of di party’s effort to strengthen itself and build confidence among its grassroots members ahead of di 2027 elections. Both groups say dem have referred di disciplinary actions to di state executive council for ratification.
