Security men take over Bayelsa APC secretariat, as crisis deepens over suspended chairman

Following the suspension of the Bayelsa State Chairman of the All progressive Congress (APC), Tiwei Orunimighe, armed security personnel made up of Policemen and men of the Department ‎of State Security (DSS), yesterday, took over secretariat of the party in Yenagoa.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had Thursday evening announced the suspension Tiwei Orunimighe and two others, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Eddy Julius and assistant Secretary, Marlin Danlin over alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.

When The Guardian visited party secretariat, located along the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road, Yenagoa, armed Policemen and DSS personnel numbering over fifteen were seen mounting vigilance. Some of the party executive loyal to the Former State Governor, Hon. Timipre Sylva and led by the acting-Chairman, Joseph Fafi, the Youth Leader, Comrade Edison Sogwe and the Secretary, Alabo Martins‎ were also present.

The presence of the loyalists of Chief Timipre Sylva ‎loyalists, however, attracted an angry outburst from an ex-militant leader and loyalist of the suspended Chairman, Africa Ukpariasia also known as General Africa.

General Africa, who arrived at the barricaded party secretariat at about 12:45 pm was prevented from driving into the premises in his black coloured SUV. Africa, who was visibly angry threatened to chase the Sylva loyalists out of the secretariat, ‎saying, “we will know who owns the Party.”But most of the Sylva loyalists shunned him and kept their cool, while security operatives asked the angry ex-militant leader to vacate the secretariat.

The State Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba and the State Director of the DSS, Mr. Gideon Agbaje‎, who also visited the secretariat and met with the Secretary of the party, Alabo Martins, said they were at the there to ascertain that the area is calm and that there is no breach of peace.

A Member of the State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the APC, Hon. Isreal Sunny Igoli‎, who arrived at the party secretariat, met with the members of the security team and addressed the party supporters.

He asked everyone to remain calm and not allow the supporters of the suspended members to throw the party into crisis.“The party has concluded the non-elective congress and the process is at appeal stage. And the key stakeholders have met and affirm the authenticity of the decision of the party at the state level. ‎Now, everybody should go home and allow security agents to be here,” he said.