APC Suspends Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum, citing internal party issues as the reason for the action.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and David Lyon, its 2019 governorship candidate in Bayelsa. This action comes as a result of their alleged anti-party activities.

In addition to Lokpobiri and Lyon, several other prominent individuals were also suspended. These include 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.

These suspensions followed a disciplinary review conducted by the party’s leadership in Bayelsa State.

At the announcement in Yenagoa, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, the APC Chairman for Ekeremor Local Government Area, alleged that Lokpobiri was leading factions and working with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following his failed attempt to secure the APC governorship ticket in 2019.

He alleged that Lokpobiri and his supporters actively supported Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri and the PDP during the 2023 election, subsequently receiving appointments and contracts as compensation.

He stated, “During the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, he spearheaded a faction of dissatisfied party members to publicly endorse and campaign for Governor Douye Diri from the Peoples Democratic Party. In return, he received rewards from the PDP-led government in Bayelsa State.”

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He went on to say, “Kharim Kumoko, his personal aide who was recommended by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has been appointed as the current Commissioner for Power in Bayelsa State.”

It is documented that since his appointment as minister, he has been in conflict with the party in Bayelsa State and has consistently declined all efforts to reconcile.

Likewise, the APC leadership in Southern Ijaw LGA, headed by Ebikazi Gbefa, declared the suspension of David Lyon along with seven others for undermining APC’s National Assembly candidates and collaborating with the PDP during the 2023 governorship race.

Gbefa stated, “The same group of stakeholders and their supporters openly opposed our National Assembly candidates,” highlighting that they also supported Diri and the PDP in the 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Certain individuals received compensation through contracts and appointments. For instance, Perepuighe Biewari, who previously served as Chief David Lyon’s Personal Assistant, was nominated by Chief Lyon for a role in the Gov. Douye Diri administration in Bayelsa State and is now serving as the Commissioner for Lands and Survey.