Bayelsa APC Congresses: Lokpobiri, Sylva Battles For Leadership Of The Party

There seems to be tension in the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, as the Former Senator representing Bayelsa West and current Minister of State For Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, declares as the Leader of the Party in the State.

The Petroleum Minister made this known when he was accompanied by the former Governor-Elect, Chief David Lyon, former Member representing Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, and others paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Sen. Lokpobiri while calling on APC members in the state not to partake in the planned nationwide protest, stated that he is the leader of the APC in Bayelsa State, as the highest appointive office holder under the party in the state, as the Minister of State For Petroleum Resources (Oil).

The honorable minister’s claim of the leadership of the APC in Bayelsa State, has created so much tension on social media platforms, as loyalists/followers of the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has argued refuting the claim of Sen. Lokpobiri as the leader of the party.

The supporters of the former petroleum minister has argued that Sylva remains the leader of the party as the only former Governor in the State, while supporters of the current petroleum minister has argued that Lokpobiri is the new leader of the party as the highest appointive office holder of the party in the State.

hotnewsng.org gathered that the leadership tussle of the APC in the state between Sylva and Lokpobiri, has lingered for some time, mostly the build up to the 2023 November 11th gubernatorial election in the State, which has created discord amongst members of the party with different fractions of leadership.

Sylva lost the 2023 gubernatorial election woefully, due to the undemocratic conduct of the party primaries in the state, which led to the defection of APC members, and open declaration of support for the sitting Governor, Senator Douye Diri by critical stakeholders and leaders of the party in the state basically.

APC in Bayelsa State has suffered so many setbacks due to the poor leadership style of the leader of the party in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva. The party has been faced with prolonged lingering internal party issues that seems not to be resolved in the nearest future from the political indications basically.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri’s assumption in office as the Minister of State For Petroleum Resources (Oil), created the avenue for those who are displeased with Sylva’s style of leadership, took the opportunity and throwed their weight behind the current minister to rebuild the party.

hotnewsng.org gathered that the party is in a dilapidated situation, as some party members have continued their support for Sylva, while others have throw their weight behind the Petroleum Minister, Sen. Lokpobiri and the NDDC MD, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku in preparation towards the 2027 electioneering processes.

The forthcoming APC ward, local government and state congresses will determine who is in charge of the leadership structure in the State, as there are interesting days ahead of the party, as Sylva and Lokpobiri battles for the leadership structure of the party in the state.