A Niger Delta group, comprising the Niger Delta Media Activists Group and Excellent Leadership Foundation, has alleged that Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), is engaging in anti-party activities in Bayelsa State.
According to the group, Lokpobiri’s actions are capable of negatively impacting the party’s votes in the 2027 General elections.
In a statement, National Coordinator Chief Izzi Yakiah noted, “Since Senator Heineken Lokpobiri joined the party in 2015, his personal ambition has repeatedly run contrary to the overall interest and chances of the party.” Yakiah recalled that Lokpobiri’s appointment as Minister of State Agriculture led to the setup of a parallel State APC secretariat in Yenagoa in May 2019.
Yakiah stated, “The Minister’s history of factionalization of the party dates back to 2019…he purportedly announced the installation of a certain Hon. Ebierein Fala Itubor as a factional State Chairman.” Additionally, Lokpobiri allegedly instituted multiple court cases to stop Chief David Lyon’s candidature and upturn the 2019 APC Governorship candidate’s victory.
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The group criticized Lokpobiri’s lack of participation in party activities, including the last November Governorship campaigns, until his appointment as Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil) in August 2023.
Yakiah emphasized, “The Bayelsa APC leadership should not shift grounds over his suspension and other notable members of the party whose anti-party activities have almost brought the party to its knees.” The group views this “cleansing” as necessary for the party’s healing and rebuilding towards the 2027 General Elections.
However, it’s worth noting that the Bayelsa state executive committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reversed the suspension of Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.