A former Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Bayelsa State Chapter, Ogeibiri Enkumor, has condemned the announcement regarding the indefinite suspension of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, former governorship candidate of the party, Chief David Lyon, along with several others for alleged anti-party activities by the APC in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas.
Enkumor made this known in a statement on Saturday, stating that the purported suspension is entirely null and void, and is an act borne out of sheer ignorance by the individuals behind it.
According to the party chieftain, because the party does not have an existing executive from the state level to the ward level across the state, no one has the power to suspend any erring party member.
The statement reads, “My attention has been drawn to the announcement regarding the indefinite suspension of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Former governorship candidate of our party, Chief David Lyon along with several others, for alleged anti-party activities by the All Progressives Congress in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas
He added that Lokpobiri remains not only a bonafide member of the APC, but a respected one for that matter.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) remains not only a bonafide member of our great party but also a well-respected leader within the party. The same can be said of Chief David Lyon as well as other chieftains listed in the suspension announced.
“The exceptional leadership exhibited by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources for State, Lokpobiri is the reason why all well-meaning stakeholders within the party are solidly behind him. The likes of former Senator Bayelsa East, Sen. Degi Eremienyo, former member, House of Representatives, Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency, HRH. Israel Sunny-Goli and a host of others have shown unwavering support for the leadership of Minister Lokpobiri,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement on Saturday, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa, Alex Blackson, has called on the National Working Committee of the party to sanction erring Southern Ijaw APC members who are trying to disgrace the party over the alleged suspension of the Minister for Petroleum of State, and Lyon.
Blackson stated that a recent press statement released by individuals claiming to represent the APC Exco from Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor LGA stems from a complete misunderstanding of the current situation within the Bayelsa chapter of the party.
He urged the Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies to remain vigilant regarding the actions of these individuals, who are looking to foment trouble in the state and also called on the party leaders to promptly establish an acting committee to restore order within the state chapter.
The statement reads, “You may have seen a recent press statement released by individuals claiming to represent the APC Exco from Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor LGA. It is important to clarify that this statement stems from a complete misunderstanding of the current situation within the Bayelsa chapter of the All Progressives Congress. I would like to address the claims regarding the suspension of former APC governor-elect Chief David Lyon and the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. To set the record straight, I filed a case in the state High Court in January 2022, challenging the legitimacy of the congress that produced the current party officials at the state, LGA, and ward levels.
The court agreed with my arguments, and on January 20, 2023, delivered a judgment nullifying the entire party Exco. This ruling included a restraining order against these individuals from representing themselves as Chairpersons or members of the APC Exco in Bayelsa. I hold a copy of this judgment, which remains valid and operational, as there has been no stay of execution. Furthermore, the individuals involved have neglected to pursue their appeal for over a year, failing to take necessary steps in the Court of Appeal. Therefore, these individuals have no authority to convene meetings or suspend any members of the party.
“I urge the Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies to remain vigilant regarding the actions of these individuals, who are looking to foment trouble in Bayelsa State. Should these actions continue, I will not hesitate to initiate contempt of court proceedings against them. Finally, I would like to call on the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress not only to sanction these individuals trying to disgrace the party but also promptly establish an acting committee for the party in Bayelsa, to restore order within the state chapter.”
(PUNCH)