The All-Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and its 2019 Bayelsa governorship candidate, David Lyon, over allegations of anti-party activities.
Others suspended include Bayelsa State's Commissioner for Power, Kharim Kumoko; Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Peres Biewari; former APC state chairman, Jothan Amos; NEC ex-officio member, Godbless Diriwari; and Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader, Sabi Morgan.
The suspensions were announced by the party leadership in Bayelsa State following a disciplinary review. During the announcement in Yenagoa, Ekeremor Local Government Area APC Chairman, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, accused Lokpobiri of leading a faction and collaborating with the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after failing to secure the APC governorship ticket in 2019.
Senator claimed that Lokpobiri and his followers supported Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and the PDP during the 2023 election in exchange for political appointments and contracts. He stated, “In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, he led a group of disgruntled party members to openly support and work for Gov. Douye Diri of the People’s Democratic Party.”
He also noted that Lokpobiri’s personal aide, Kharim Kumoko, was appointed as Bayelsa's Commissioner for Power as part of the arrangement.
Similarly, Southern Ijaw LGA APC leadership, headed by Ebikazi Gbefa, announced the suspension of David Lyon and seven others, accusing them of undermining the party’s National Assembly candidates and working with the PDP during the 2023 governorship election. Gbefa claimed that Lyon’s Personal Assistant, Perepuighe Biewari, was nominated by Lyon and appointed Commissioner for Lands and Survey in Governor Diri’s administration as a reward for their cooperation with the PDP.
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