Tag: APC

A concerned member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, Alex Blackson has called on the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sanction erring southern ijaw APC members who are trying to disgrace the party.

Alex made this known in a statement on Friday stating that a recent press statement released by individuals claiming to represent the APC Exco from Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor LGA, stems from a complete misunderstanding of the current situation within the Bayelsa chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He urged the Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies to remain vigilant regarding the actions of these individuals, who are looking to forment trouble  in Bayelsa State and also called on the party leaders  to promptly establish an acting committee with the aim of restoring order within the state chapter.

The statement reads: “You may have seen a recent press statement released by individuals claiming to represent the APC Exco from Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor LGA. It is important to clarify that this statement stems from a complete misunderstanding of the current situation within the Bayelsa chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I would like to address the claims regarding the suspension of former APC governor-elect Chief David Lyon and the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. To set the record straight, I filed a case in the state High Court in January 2022, challenging the legitimacy of the congress that produced the current party officials at the state, LGA, and ward levels.

“The court agreed with my arguments, and on January 20, 2023, delivered a judgment nullifying the entire party Exco.This ruling included a restraining order against these individuals from representing themselves as Chairpersons or members of the APC Exco in Bayelsa.

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“I hold a copy of this judgment, which remains valid and operational, as there has been no stay of execution. Furthermore, the individuals involved have neglected to pursue their appeal for over a year, failing to take necessary steps in the Court of Appeal. Therefore, these individuals have no authority to convene meetings or suspend any members of the party.

“I urge the Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies to remain vigilant regarding the actions of these individuals, who are looking to forment trouble  in Bayelsa State.

“Should these actions continue, I will not hesitate to initiate contempt of court proceedings against them.

“Finally, I would like to call on the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress not only sanction these individuals trying to disgrace the party , but also  promptly establish an acting committee for the party in Bayelsa, with the aim of restoring order and within the state chapter.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the party’s 2019 governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon, over alleged anti-party activities.

Also suspended were the Commissioner for Power, Kharim Kumoko; Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barrister Peres Biewari; former APC state chairman, Mr. Jothan Amos; ex-officio member of the National Executive Council, Hon. Godbless Diriwari; and Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader, Sabi Morgan.

Omiebi Fuoebi, APC Chairman of Ward 3 in Southern Ijaw, and all ward executive members, along with Claudius Odobu, APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Southern Ijaw, and his executive members, were also suspended by the party.

Speaking to journalists in Yenagoa on Friday, October 11, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, APC Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, alongside the local government executive members, announced the indefinite suspension of Lokpobiri and Kumoko.

Mitin said the action followed a “report of the disciplinary committee set up in accordance with Article 21.3 (i) of our party’s constitution 2022 as amended.”

He accused Lokpobiri and his followers of involvement in anti-party activities since the 2019 governorship election in the state, alleging that the minister’s actions were borne out of his failure to secure the APC ticket.

Specifically, Mitin said Lokpobiri used “his supporters to institute cases in court against the party and also establishing a factional state secretariat of the party.”

He further claimed that the minister “in the 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State, led a group of disgruntled party members to openly support and worked for Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and was compensated by the PDP-led government of Bayelsa State.

“His personal aide, Engr. Kharim Kumoko was nominated by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and appointed as the current Commissioner for Power in Bayelsa State.

“It is on record that since the day he was appointed as minister, he had been fighting the party in Bayelsa State and had refused to make peace despite all entreaties.”

Earlier, the APC chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Mr Ebikazi Gbefa, and the local government executive council members announced the suspension of Chief David Lyon and seven others for alleged anti-party activities.

Gbefa cited Article 21.3(I) of the party’s constitution and accused them of conspiring against the APC candidate in the 2020 Bayelsa Central senatorial bye-election, Mr Abel Ebifemowei.

He said: “The same set of stakeholders and their supporters openly worked against our National Assembly candidates.”

He claimed that they also worked for Governor Diri and PDP in the 2023 governorship election in the state.

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Gbefa claimed: “Some of them were compensated with contracts and appointments. For example, Barrister Perepuighe Biewari who was Chief David Lyon’s Personal Assistant, was nominated by Chief David Lyon and appointed as the current Commissioner for Lands and Survey in the Douye Diri administration in Bayelsa State.

 “As we strive to rebuild the party ahead of 2027, it is our resolve to strengthen the party and build confidence in party grassroots members who believe in and have sacrificed remarkably for the party in the state.”

Both groups said they have referred the disciplinary actions to the state executive council for ratification.

They refused to take any questions from reporters.

Recall that Diri had assured Bayelsans that he would form an all-inclusive government during his second inauguration on February 14, 2024.

Hajiya Lami, a sister to the Secretary to the Kano State Government (SGG), Dr Baffa Bichi, has dumped the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Lami, a women mobiliser in Kano state, while announcing her exit from the NNPP at the residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, in Abuja, said she would bring her brother to the APC.

Baffa, who was the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) between 2016 and 2019 during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was named the SSG by the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on May 30, 2023.

In February last year, the Deputy President of the Senate defeated Baffa, the NNPP’s candidate for Kano North Senatorial District.

Senator Barau polled 234,652 against Baffa’s 177,014 votes.

Lami, according to a statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, Ismail Mudashi, in Abuja, said: “Today, with my friends and political associates across Kano State, we have dumped the NNPP for the APC to join forces with like minds to address the challenges facing our State and our country. I will bring my brother, Baffa Bichi, to the APC soon.”

The women leader was at the residence of the Deputy President of the Senate together with other members of the NNPP. They all announced their exit from the NNPP, the ruling party in Kano State.

Responding, Senator Barau welcomed them to the APC, saying the party is big enough to accommodate all Nigerians.

He assured that the party would not disappoint them and pledged to continue to do the good things that endear them to the APC.

“We will treat all party members equally and fairly. The President is working hard to return our country to the path of progress and prosperity. Bear with him; our country will become stronger and we will all be happy for it,” he said.

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Meanwhile, on Tuesday, hundreds of members of the NNPP from Shanono LGA of Kano State joined the APC. They were at the office of the Deputy President of the Senate at the National Assembly under five groups.

 The groups are Kwankwasiyya Hunters Forum, led by Murtala Abubakar Kwamanda; Kwankwasiyya Youth Vanguard, led by Murtala Sani; Kwankwasiyya Miyetti Allah, led by Ja’e Adamu; Kwankwasiyya Radio-Media, led by Abdullahi DPO and Kwankwasiyya Butchers Forum, led by Sulaiman Bala Mainama.

They were accompanied by the chairman of the APC in Shanono LGA, Alhaji Isiya Sheme and the caucus leader of the party in the LG, Alhaji Adamu Saidu.

Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday lauded the National Assembly for passing Southwest Development Commission Bill into law.

The zonal chapter also hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for embarking on bold economic reforms aimed at fixing the country.

Rising from its meeting in Lagos at the weekend, the chapter said there should be more regular meetings of party leaders in the zone for review and interface with chieftains in public service.

The meeting, convened by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the coordinator, was attended by his colleagues-Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo).

Also at the meeting held at Eko Hotel, Victoria, Lagos, were party elders-former Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo, Prince Oluyole Olusi, Pa Olorunfunmi Basorun, Pa Busura Alebiosu, Pa Abiodun Ogunleye and Chief Alake Adeyemo, former deputy governor of Oyo State- and zonal officers led by Isaacs Kekemeke, APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest).

Meanwhile, eminent persons have declared support for Chairman of the Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, Awa Bamiji as a ministerial/ South West Development Commission nominee. They described him as a worthy candidate.

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In its communiqué, the zonal chapter resolved to support the administration of President Tinubu in its effort to revamp the economy and put Nigeria on the path of prosperity.

Other resolutions are as follows:

“There should be regular meetings of party structures at all levels, in particular, the Southwest Assembly must meet at least on a quarterly basis and that the meeting must be sustained.

“There must be regular and continuous interface between elected and appointed officials of the government from the zone and the party structures.

“A high powered committee must be set up to regularly evaluate the party activities in the region, to ensure the administration’s promises to the people are kept.

“There must be regular engagement of party stakeholders with particular attention given to youths and women.

“Deliberate and intentional plans must be put in place for future elections.

“Sustain the dreams and vision of our past leaders and founding fathers that birthed the excellence of Southwest.

“Improved and strategic communication at all levels to enlighten the citizenry on the good works of the administration.

“Set up a functional zonal secretariat for operational management and support.

“Data collation and management must be an integral part of party operations and activities.

“Investment in agriculture/food security, youth/women empowerment and job creation must be at the front burner of the regional development agenda in the zone.”