The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekeremor and the Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State has suspended several high-ranking party officials, including the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial race in the state, David Lyon.
among those suspended are two active commissioners from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)–-governed Bayelsa State administration, who are also members of the APC.
The decision to suspend these individuals was reportedly made due to their involvement in activities against the party and accusations of dividing the party at the state level.
The APC leader in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mitin Eniekenemi, confirmed the suspension of Senator Lokpobiri and the Commissioner for Power, Engr. Karin Kumoko to journalists on Friday.
Channels Television quoted Eniekenemi as explaining that the decision was made following the recommendations of an internal disciplinary committee established under Article 21.3(1) of the APC Constitution.
In another development, the APC officials in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area have suspended David Lyon, the candidate for the 2019 APC governorship, along with the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Peres Biewari and six others for their alleged involvement in activities against the party and serious misconduct.
The suspended members are accused of harming the party’s interests, especially during the 2020 Bayelsa State bye-election. The APC leadership has stated that investigations are in progress, and further information on other members involved in anti-party activities will be disclosed once the investigations are complete