The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and David Lyon, the party’s 2019 governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, for alleged anti-party activities. Along with them, eight other party members were also suspended for similar accusations, marking a major shakeup within the party.
The suspensions were announced on Friday in separate briefings in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. Party leaders accused Lokpobiri and Lyon, among others, of working against the APC and supporting the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in recent elections.
Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, the Chairman of APC in Ekeremor Local Government Area, led the briefing, explaining that Lokpobiri’s suspension was based on findings from a disciplinary committee. He stated that Lokpobiri had engaged in anti-party activities since failing to secure the party’s ticket in the 2019 governorship election. Senator accused Lokpobiri of working against the APC by supporting PDP Governor Douye Diri.
“In the 2023 gubernatorial election, Lokpobiri openly supported Gov. Douye Diri of the PDP, and he and his followers were compensated by the PDP-led government,” Senator said. He added that Lokpobiri even created a factional state secretariat of the APC, which further deepened divisions within the party. Senator’s personal aide, Kharim Kumoko, was also suspended, having been appointed as the Commissioner for Power in the Bayelsa State government, a position tied to Lokpobiri’s influence.
David Lyon, along with seven other APC members, faced similar accusations in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. APC Chairman, Ebikazi Gbefa, explained that Lyon and his allies conspired against the APC during the 2020 Bayelsa Central senatorial by-election and the 2023 governorship election. Gbefa accused them of working for the PDP’s candidates and betraying the APC’s cause.
“The same set of stakeholders worked against our National Assembly candidates and supported Gov. Diri in the 2023 election,” Gbefa stated. He added that some of those suspended, including Lyon’s former personal assistant, Perepuighe Biewari, were rewarded with government contracts and appointments from the PDP-led administration.
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Both Eniekenemi Senator and Gbefa emphasized that these actions were necessary to rebuild and strengthen the APC in Bayelsa State. They noted that grassroots members who remained loyal to the party deserved a stronger and more united leadership moving forward. “As we strive to rebuild the party ahead of 2027, it is our resolve to strengthen the party and build confidence in our grassroots members,” Gbefa added.
The suspension of these high-profile figures has been referred to the APC State Executive Council for ratification. However, party leaders declined to answer any questions from journalists during the briefings, leaving some uncertainty about what comes next for the APC in Bayelsa.
The party’s decision underscores internal challenges as it works to regain its footing in the state, where the PDP has remained dominant in recent elections.