The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa says it has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, from the party.
The party’s Ekeremor Local government EXCO, which is where Lokpobiri hails from said the decision to suspend the Minister of state is as a result of his alleged involvement in anti-party activities as well as cases of gross misconduct.
The Chairman of the APC in Ekeremor LGA, Mitin Eniekenemi, who announced this announcement latest development on Friday, October 11, 2024, at crowded press conference in Yenagoa , the state capital maintained that the suspension of Lokpobiri is a prelude to series of disciplinary measures lined up for erring members of the APC.
According to Eniekenemi, the decision to suspend Lokpobiri was taken after thorough deliberations within the party’s leadership at the local level.
He stated: “It became necessary to take this action after receiving several reports of anti-party activities involving Senator Lokpobiri. The leadership of the APC in Ekeremor has resolved to suspend him to preserve the integrity of the party and ensure its smooth operation ahead of the upcoming elections.
“We cannot allow anyone, no matter his/her position, to act in ways that contradict the principles of the APC. This decision was not taken lightly, but it was necessary to maintain order within the party.”
The New Diplomat reports that this suspension comes at a crucial time for the APC, as it prepares to kick out poorly performing members serving in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.