The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has temporarily halted the ratification of the suspension of key party figures, including Minister of State for Petroleum Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and former gubernatorial candidate David Lyon, along with several other members.
This decision was made after an extended meeting of the state party executives, which included local government chairpersons, state Assembly members, and other key party leaders. The meeting was convened to address the ongoing internal crisis, particularly the suspension of prominent stakeholders in Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor, Sagbama, and Yenagoa Local Government Areas.
According to a statement signed by APC state chairman Dennis Otiotio, the decision to pause the suspension followed a plea from the minority caucus of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, the only elected APC representatives from the state. The party leaders agreed to hold off on ratifying the suspension in order to conduct further consultations with critical stakeholders, as recommended by the caucus.
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The suspended members, including Lokpobiri and Lyon, were accused of engaging in anti-party activities. The suspension had sparked significant tension within the party.
In addition, the APC state executive and caucus condemned the recent actions of Bayelsa State Commissioner of Power, Kharin Kumoku, who allegedly led a group of thugs to attack the APC state secretariat. The timely intervention of security forces prevented further damage.
The APC called on Governor Douye Diri to take action against the commissioner and urged the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Francis Idu, and the Director of State Security Services to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
