Bayelsa State’s All Progressives Congress (APC), in Yenagoa Local Government Chapter has announced the indefinite suspension of Werinipre Seibarugu, a former deputy governor of the state, along with six other prominent members. This move comes amid escalating tensions within the party over alleged anti-party activities, raising concerns about the future of the APC in the state.
Seibarugu, a political heavyweight who served as deputy to Chief Timipre Sylva, the former governor and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, finds himself at the center of this political storm. Notably, Seibarugu also held key roles as the acting governor and the speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, making his suspension a significant blow to the party’s leadership structure.
The suspension list includes other high-profile party members, such as Osomkime Blankson, Alex Blankson, Chief Olomo Agbama Apina, Dr. Parkinson Mamanuel, Ebiye Waripamo, and Pastor Esther Saiyou. The party leadership has accused them of gross misconduct, specifically engaging in anti-party activities dating back to the 2020 Senatorial bye-election.
Announcing the suspension, Okokuro, a top party official, revealed that the decision was based on a thorough investigation by the APC’s fact-finding and disciplinary committee. Okokuro did not mince words, stating that the suspended members had conspired with the opposition, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to sabotage APC’s chances during several key elections.
“It’s on record that the parallel APC Secretariat at Isaac Boro Expressway, Biogbolo is managed by Blankson. All the aforementioned members have engaged in anti-party activities since the 2020 Senatorial bye-election, where they conspired with the PDP candidate against our own,” Okokuro declared, pointing to what he called a long-running pattern of betrayal within the party.
He further revealed that the suspended members and their supporters actively worked against APC’s interests during the 2023 National Assembly elections, undermining party candidates in favor of their PDP rivals. In the recent Bayelsa gubernatorial election, the suspended members were accused of openly supporting the incumbent Governor, Douye Diri of the PDP, allegedly in exchange for backing from the Bayelsa State government.
Okokuro emphasized that the APC is now focused on rebuilding its ranks as it prepares for the 2027 elections. “We are committed to restoring confidence among grassroots members. The actions of these individuals have deeply hurt our party, and we cannot allow such behavior to continue,” he said.
He concluded by stating that the indefinite suspension was necessary to send a clear message: the APC will no longer tolerate disloyalty. This move follows the recent suspension of other high-ranking APC figures, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and Chief David Lyon, the party’s 2019 gubernatorial candidate, who were also accused of anti-party activities.
