*Says Lokpobiri remains bonafide member of APC
Former Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bayelsa State, Ogeibiri Orubebemi Enkumor, has condemned the announcement of the indefinite suspension of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), and Chief David Lyon, a former governorship candidate of the party, along with several others.
The suspension, allegedly for anti-party activities by the APC factions in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas, has been described as illegal and a display of ignorance by those behind it.
In a statement released on Friday, Enkumor declared the suspension as null and void, stressing that it held no legal basis. He pointed out that the Bayelsa State chapter of the APC does not currently have any executive body at the state or ward level due to a court order issued on January 20, 2023, by Judge L. T. Cocodia of the Yenagoa High Court. The court ruling invalidated the party’s congresses held in September and October 2021 and imposed an injunction preventing anyone from acting as executives of the party.
Enkumor noted, “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.”
Enkumor concluded by lauding the leadership of Senator Lokpobiri, whose influence continues to unite major stakeholders within the party, including former Senator Degi Eremienyo and former House of Representatives member HRH Israel Sunny-Goli.
“As a matter of fact, 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 stated.
