The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and its 2019 governorship candidate, David Lyon, alongside other key party figures, over alleged anti-party activities.
Those suspended include:
- Kharim Kumoko, State Commissioner for Power
- Peres Biewari, Commissioner for Lands and Survey
- Jothan Amos, former state APC chairman
- Godbless Diriwari, an ex-officio member of the APC National Executive Council
- Sabi Morgan, Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader
- Omiebi Fuoebi, APC Ward 3 Chairman
- Claudius Odobu, APC Ward 4 Chairman
The indefinite suspension of Lokpobiri and Kumoko was announced by Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, Chairman of APC in Ekeremor Local Government Area, in Yenagoa. This decision followed a report from the party’s disciplinary committee. Eniekenemi accused Lokpobiri of engaging in anti-party activities since the 2019 governorship election, including supporting a faction within the party and backing Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 Bayelsa gubernatorial election.
Similarly, Ebikazi Gbefa, APC Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, announced the suspension of David Lyon and seven others, accusing them of undermining the party’s candidates during recent elections and supporting the PDP.
The suspensions have been referred to the APC State Executive Council for ratification, with no questions taken from journalists at the briefing.