Bayelsa APC Lifts Suspension of Heineken Lokpobiri and Other Party Leaders

The Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reversed the suspension of the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and other senior party members following an important extended meeting. This gathering, which included state executive members, state Assembly representatives, and local government chairmen, focused on resolving the internal conflict that arose from the suspension of key party figures, particularly from the Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor, Sagbama, and Yenagoa local government areas.

Among those whose suspensions were lifted were Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Chief David Lyon, the APC’s governorship candidate in the 2019 elections. After the meeting, a press conference was held at the party’s state secretariat in Yenagoa on Tuesday, October 15, where a communique was released. The statement, signed by state chairman Chief Dennis Otiotio-Odoni and acting State Secretary Owutuamo Tamaranpreye, announced that the suspensions had been put on hold at the request of the minority caucus of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, which represents the state’s elected APC members.

The communique emphasized the need for further consultation with key stakeholders before proceeding with any disciplinary measures, as recommended by the APC caucus in the state Assembly.

Additionally, the statement criticized the recent actions of Kharin Kumoku, the state Commissioner for Power, accusing him of leading a group of thugs to attack the APC State Secretariat with the intention of setting it on fire. The party expressed appreciation for the intervention of security forces and alert party members, which prevented the attack.

The communiqué called on Governor Douye Diri to address the actions of Commissioner Kumoku and urged the state Commissioner of Police, Francis A. Idu, as well as the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Bayelsa State, to investigate and take appropriate action against the Commissioner for his alleged involvement.