APC suspends Tinubu’s minister, ex-guber candidate, others

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the suspension of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, alongside the party’s 2019 governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, David Lyon.

The suspension of the minister in President Bola Tinubu’s administration and others comes amidst accusations of involvement in anti-party activities.

Other prominent figures affected by the suspension include the state’s Commissioner for Power, Kharim Kumoko, the Commissioner for Lands 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.

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Additionally, the APC suspended key party officials from Ward 3 Southern Ijaw, including Chairman Omiebi Fuoebi and all executive members, as well as Ward 4 executives led by Chairman Claudius Odobu.

During a press briefing in Yenagoa, the APC Chairman for Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, accompanied by local government executives, confirmed that Lokpobiri and Kumoko were handed indefinite suspensions. He cited a report from the party’s disciplinary committee, which acted in line with Article 21.3(i) of the APC’s 2022 amended constitution.

Senator accused Lokpobiri of leading anti-party actions following his unsuccessful bid to secure the APC governorship ticket in 2019. He also claimed Lokpobiri used his supporters to challenge the party in court and create a factional state secretariat. Furthermore, he alleged that Lokpobiri worked in support of Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 governorship election, which resulted in political appointments for Lokpobiri’s allies within the PDP administration.

A similar suspension was also announced by Ebikazi Gbefa, APC Chairman for Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, targeting David Lyon and seven other party members. Gbefa, citing Article 21.3(i), accused Lyon and his associates of conspiring against the party during the 2020 Bayelsa Central senatorial bye-election and working for PDP candidates in the 2023 gubernatorial election.

The disciplinary actions taken by both APC factions have been forwarded to the party’s state executive council for ratification. The parties involved refused to respond to journalists’ questions following the announcements.