APC suspends former Bayelsa deputy gov, 6 others indefinitely

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Yenagoa Local Government Chapter, has indefinitely suspended a former deputy governor, Werinipre Seibarugu, along with six other members, for alleged anti-party activities.

The suspension was announced on Sunday following a fact-finding and disciplinary committee report.

Seibarugu, who served as deputy governor under former Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, was also a former acting governor and speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

His suspension, alongside others, signals a major shakeup within the local chapter of the APC.

The announcement came with a bit of drama at the Di Crab Hotel in Yenagoa, where the Chairman of the Yenagoa Local Government Chapter, Mr. Tonye Okokuro, initially hesitated to mention Seibarugu’s name until pressured by his executive committee.

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Along with Seibarugu, others suspended include Osomkime Blankson, Mr. Alex Blankson, Chief Olomo Agbama Apina, Dr. Parkinson Mamanuel, Ebiye Waripamo, and Pastor Esther Saiyou.

The decision to suspend the seven members was delayed due to an earlier attack on members of the Sagbama LG executive committee by thugs, which disrupted proceedings. Notably, Osomkime Blankson had previously challenged the 2022 party congresses in court, securing a judgment that declared the congresses void.

Speaking to journalists, Okokuro explained that the suspension was necessary to rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 elections, emphasizing the need for internal unity and discipline within the APC in Bayelsa State.

He said, “It is on record that the parallel APC Secretariat situated at the Isaac Boro Expressway, Biogbolo is being managed by Blankson.

“It is also on record that all the aforementioned members have been involved in anti-party activities since the Senatorial bye-election in 2020 when they conspired with the People’s Democratic Party candidate and worked against our party’s candidate.

“During the 2023 National Assembly elections, they and their supporters openly worked against our National Assembly candidates.

“In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, they openly worked for Gov. Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and enjoyed the patronage of the PDP government of Bayelsa State.

“As 2027 approaches, we are making efforts to rebuild the party and build confidence in party grassroots members in the state.”

“Based on the recommendations of the Fact-Finding and Disciplinary Committees, we hereby suspend them indefinitely from the party.”

The party last weekend suspended Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the 2019 governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon, and eight others.