In recent developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, former Deputy Chairman Ogeibiri Enkumor has publicly condemned the indefinite suspension of several party members, including Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and former governorship candidate Chief David Lyon. The suspensions, attributed to alleged anti-party activities in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas, have drawn sharp criticisms from Enkumor, who insists that the actions are fundamentally illegitimate. He argues that the APC lacks any legitimate executive from the state level down to the ward level, making any suspension of party members void, as there is no recognized authority to impose such sanctions.
Enkumor emphasized the legal backdrop to the party’s current executive crisis, referring to a court ruling from January 20, 2023, which invalidated prior congresses that produced the current party officials. The ruling by Judge L. T. Cocodia of the Yenagoa High Court not only nullified the congresses held in 2021 but also imposed a perpetual injunction against those declaring themselves as executives of the party. He pointedly called the suspensions a “contempt of court,” asserting that such actions lack any legal grounding in light of the existing court order, which has not been overturned or appealed. Thus, he urges party members to disregard the purported suspensions based on the flimsy support for them.
Highlighting the credentials of Senator Lokpobiri, Enkumor portrayed him as a “bonafide member” of the APC and a respected figure within the party. He argued that Lokpobiri’s leadership and commitment to the APC have garnered support from multiple stakeholders. Supporters, including former Senator Bayelsa East, Degi Eremienyo, and others, reaffirm the party’s unity and their backing of Lokpobiri. This statement suggests that the alleged suspensions might not reflect the sentiments of the broader party membership, particularly when influential figures continue to stand by their leadership.
Adding to this discourse, another APC chieftain from Bayelsa, Alex Blackson, echoed Enkumor’s sentiments by demanding accountability and order within the party. Blackson criticized the actions of individuals from the Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor local governments, which he believes stem from a grave misunderstanding of the party’s internal dynamics. He underscored the need for the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to intervene, sanctioning those responsible for the disruptive dynamics within the party and establishing an acting committee to restore unity and governance.
Blackson further elaborated on the legal status of the APC executive’s authority, reiterating his previous court challenge and the subsequent judicial decisions undermining the current executive structure. The persistent resistance from individuals claiming to represent party interests is perceived as a violation of the court’s ruling, exacerbating the internal discord within the Bayelsa APC. Blackson warned that failure to address this situation could lead to wider chaos, urging law enforcement to maintain diligence regarding these individuals’ actions and safeguarding the party’s integrity.
In conclusion, the recent events surrounding the suspensions within the Bayelsa APC highlight significant rifts and legal disputes which question the legitimacy of the party’s current executive leadership. The fractures within the party are symptomatic of broader conflicts that could hinder its stability and electoral viability in the region. Both Enkumor and Blackson’s statements indicate an urgent call to action for the APC’s national leadership to restore order, legal compliance, and member cohesion, while also guarding against actions that further undermine party unity. These unfolding narratives will likely shape the political landscape in Bayelsa as stakeholders continue to negotiate the complexities of party loyalty and judicial authority.
