Former APC Deputy Chairman Speaks as Party Suspends Tinubu’s Top Minister, 9 Others, Details Emerge

• A top APC chieftain in Bayelsa, Ogeibiri Orubebemi Enkumor, condemned the announcement regarding the indefinite suspension of Heineken Lokpobiri
• Legit.ng reports that Lokpobiri, a serving minister, was allegedly suspended over anti-party activities
• Enkumor disclosed his stance via a statement on Friday, October 11, stating that the purported suspension is null and void

Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering elections, politics and governance in Nigeria.

Yenagoa, Bayelsa state - Ogeibiri Orubebemi Enkumor, a former deputy chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state, on Friday, October 11, condemned the party leaders in Ekeremor local government area (LGA) for suspending Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources.

Legit.ng had reported that Lokpobiri was sanctioned for allegedly supporting the re-election bid of Douye Diri, the current governor of Bayelsa state, in November 2023.

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In the same vein, David Lyon, the governorship candidate of the APC in the 2019 election, was suspended alongside several others in their respective LGAs.

The total number of APC chieftains in Bayelsa said to be suspended on Friday, October 11, was 10.

But reacting to the development via a statement obtained by Legit.ng, Enkumor "emphatically and unequivocally" stated that the purported suspensions are "entirely null and void".

According to Enkumor, particularly, the reported suspension of Lokpobiri "should be completely disregarded".

The statement partly reads:

“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."

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Ayodele asks Tinubu to remove Lokpobiri

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the spiritual leader of the Inri evangelical church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately sack Lokpobiri.

Primate Ayodele stated that Lokpobiri has failed in his responsibility in the oil sector and is one of the public officials responsible for the current hardship in Nigeria.

The outspoken cleric said the minister's continuous stay in office is a disservice to the nation.

Source: Legit.ng