The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has suspended Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who serves as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), citing alleged anti-party activities., News About Nigeria reports.
The APC also suspended its party’s 2019 governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, David Lyon; the state commissioner for power, Kharim Kumoko; the commissioner for land and survey, Peres Biewari; former APC state chairman, Jothan Amos; an ex-officio member of the National Executive Council, Godbless Diriwari; and Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader, Sabi Morgan.
Others suspended include a party stakeholder and APC Chairman, Ward 3 Southern Ijaw, Omiebi Fuoebi, and the APC Ward 4 Southern Ijaw, Claudius Odobu.
Speaking on their suspension during a press briefing on Friday in Yenagoa, the state capital, the Chairman of APC in the Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mitin Eniekenemi, explained that the suspension of both Lokpobiri and Kumoko follows a “report of the disciplinary committee set up in accordance with Article 21.3(i) of our party’s constitution 2022 as amended.”
He also accused Lokpobiri and his followers of involvement in anti-party activities since the 2019 governorship election in the state.
Giving details, he claimed that since the minister could not secure the APC ticket, he decided to work against the party.
He further noted that “in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, he (Lokpobiri) 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 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.”
