The Yenagoa local government branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the indefinite suspension of former deputy governor Welinipre Seibalgu and six others for alleged anti-party activities.
According to a Naija News report, Mr. Seibalgu is the deputy of former Governor and recent Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, and also serves as Acting Governor and Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
The suspension of the party leader came after a minor incident at Di Club Hotel in Yenagoa. Yenagoa Local Government Branch Chairman Tony Okullo hesitated three times to mention Seibalg by name until other members of the executive committee urged him to do so. Let him do it.
According to The Punch, the announcement of the suspension of seven members of the Sagbama Local Government Executive Committee was delayed after they were attacked by hired thugs.
In addition to Seibalgu, those suspended include Osomukime Blankson, Alex Blankson, Oromo Chief Agbama Apina, Dr. Pakinson Mamanuel, Ebie Walipamo, and Pastor Esther Sayu.
Mr. Blankson is contesting the results of the 2022 party conventions, and there are existing court decisions declaring those conventions invalid.
Okullo told reporters that the suspension was based on the findings of the party’s fact-finding and disciplinary committee, stressing the need to strengthen the party in preparation for the 2027 elections.
He said: “It is on record that a parallel APC secretariat at Isaac Bolo Expressway in Biogboro is controlled by Blankson.
“It is also on record that all the above-mentioned members have been colluding with candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and conducting anti-party activities against candidates of our party since the 2020 Senate by-election.
“During the 2023 parliamentary elections, they and their supporters openly campaigned against parliamentary candidates.
“In the 2023 Bayelsa State governorship election, they openly worked for Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and enjoyed the patronage of the PDP government in Bayelsa State.
“As 2027 approaches, we are working to rebuild our party and build the confidence of our grassroots members in the state.
“Based on the recommendations of the Fact-Finding Committee and the Disciplinary Committee, we hereby suspend them from party activities indefinitely.”
Naija News recalls that the party last weekend suspended the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Petroleum), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, 2019 governorship candidate Chief David Ryan and eight others.
