Bayelsa Guber: Sylva, Lyon, Lokpobiri Reunited As Ganduje Brokers Peace In APC

Eko Hot Blog reports that ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Abdullahi Ganduje has brokered peace among top chieftains of the party in the state.

According to The Sun, the peace meeting believed to have been facilitated by the state chairman; Dr Dennis Otiotio had the governorship candidate of the party and former Minister of (State), Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, incumbent Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and the 2019 governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon in attendance.

Lokpobiri and Lyon had been at loggerheads with Sylva over the control of the party structure in the state.

Lokpobiri is from Ekeremor Local Government Area in Bayelsa West, while Lyon is from Southern Ijaw Local Government in Bayelsa Central. Both local governments are believed to be key for the APC as part of efforts to win the governorship.

While Lokpobiri had gone as far as forming a parallel state executive council which failed to gain recognition from the national headquarters, Lyon contested the 2023 governorship primaries but lost to Sylva.

Investigations revealed that the mend-fencing meeting became necessary to ensure the party presented a united front before the commencement of campaigns.

Findings indicated that the meeting with Lokpobiri and Lyon was what was delaying the release of the campaign council for the Bayelsa election.

Sources at the meeting stated that discussion was very frank and Ganduje was said to have impressed on the leaders the need for unity if the party hopes to win the governorship election.

He implored the party chieftains to close ranks and sheath their swords in the larger interest of the party.

Dr Otiotio in an interview confirmed the meeting and expressed optimism that the party is on the right track to win the governorship election.

“Yes as you can see, the national chairman of our party met with critical stakeholders of our party in Bayelsa State. The purpose of the meeting was on how to present a united front in the forthcoming governorship election. APC is going into the election with a united family. For other aggrieved party members, the reconciliation committee is working very hard to reach everyone and to resolve all outstanding issues,” he said.

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