Editorial: Fresh Implosion Looms in Bayelsa APC

The presence or lack, of internal democracy can make or mar any organisation, especially political parties in Nigeria.

On the periphery, all seems to be on a smooth sale for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State. But when viewed from the interior, with political lenses, the ruling party in the state appears to be silently, slowly but gradually drifting towards self-inflicted implosion.

Before the recent defection of the state governor, Senator Douye Diri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress, the APC had been suffering from internal squabbles.

Two personalities, the former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva and Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who is now the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) were laying claims to the leadership of the party with two separate state secretariats in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The division in the APC had severally resulted to afflictive performances during electoral outings in Bayelsa State, thereby creating seamless political victories for the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party which has now degenerated to an opposition party following the defection of the state governor and his political lieutenants to the APC.

In line with the constitution of the party, the governor, Senator Diri, is now unarguably the leader of the APC in Bayelsa State, laying aside the supremacy battle that hitherto bedeviled the party.

Before the coming of Governor Douye Diri into the APC, there were political structures largely controlled by the then leader, Chief Timipre Sylva, who has been out of the country for over three months on health grounds, according to his media aide, Mr. Julius Buokoru. On the other hand, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri also controlled a fraction of the structure.

Meanwhile, NAIJA LIVE TV observes that many loyalists of the former governor and immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva are said to be aggrieved, alleging bein sidelined in the scheme of things since the party assumed a new leadership under Governor Diri.

According to our checks, their resentments became obvious following the recent inauguration of coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) in the eight local government areas under the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, by Governor Douye Diri

The RHA is a political group formed to galvanize support across the country for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Some party members believed to be supporters and ardent followers of Timipre Sylva are of the view that they were short-changed in the selection of the RHA coordinators across the state.

Governor Diri, who charged the local government coordinators to mobilise members of the party for the ward, local government and state congresses and ensure success for the APC at all levels, said the state coordinator remains Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, a former chairman, Southern Ijaw Council Area.

The RHA local government coordinators are Kuro Matthias Nyenye (Nembe), Dr. Godson Torukuru (Yenagoa), Uroh Kiani (Brass) and Engr. Biewari Orupeighe (Southern Ijaw)

Others are High Chief Okubokakpo Ombu (Sagbama), Chief Ebinyo Turner (Ogbia), Rt.Hon. Tonye Isenah (Kolokuma/Opokuma) and Hon. Orubebe Ogeibiri (Ekeremor).

For Brass, members of the committee are the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Hon. Sunny Goli, and Victor Sam-Ateki.

Ekeremor has the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Michael Ogbere, former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, Chief Fidelis Agbiki, and Hon. Tari Porri as members.

Chief Isaac Kumokou (KOLGA Constituency 1) and Dr. Tarilah Tebepah ( KOLGA Constituency 2) are in charge of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.

In Nembe, the committee has the APC acting state chairman, Dr Dennis Otiotio, Senator Degi Eremienyo, former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (Rtd) as well as Hon. Ebi Ben-Ololo and Hon. Oteigbanyo Braah.

Ogbia has Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Senator Benson Agadaga and Hon. Gabriel Ogbara as members while for Sagbama, the members are the Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Commission, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, and Chief Kemi Prefa.

The ward congress committee for Southern Ijaw has as members Senator Konbowei Benson, Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei, Monday Obolo-Bubou, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and Chief David Lyon while Yenagoa has a former acting governor and former Speaker of the State Assembly, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, Hon. Oforji Oboku, Dr. Gentle Emelah and Chief Boma Spero-Jack.

NAIJA LIVE TV learnt that since the inauguration of the RHA coordinators, some party faithful have been expressing dissatisfaction, warning that any attempt to create division in the party may lead to internal implosion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

An APC faithful, Samuel Furuebi Martin on Facebook writes: “I don’t think APC (in Bayelsa State) can be united again with this sentiment list being announced.”

Also, one Teekay Godspower on his verified Facebook account writes: “At this juncture, the Sylva’s structure in Bayelsa state APC should fast and pray for the return of Chief Timipre Sylva, or they should just forget it.”

What will happen in the APC, when it will happen and how all of these will play out is a matter of conjecture that only time can unravel.

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