The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has indefinitely suspended Werinipre Seibarugu, a former deputy governor of the state, along with six other prominent party members.
The suspension is linked to accusations of engaging in activities against the party’s interests, commonly referred to as anti-party activities.
Werinipre Seibarugu, who once served as deputy to former Governor Timipre Sylva, was also a past Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and briefly acted as governor. His name was reportedly omitted during the initial announcement of the suspensions, causing a moment of tension during a meeting at the Di Crab Hotel in Yenagoa.
The local APC chapter chairman, Mr. Tonye Okokuro, was hesitant to mention Seibarugu’s name despite being prompted by other members of the executive committee. After repeated urging, Seibarugu’s name was finally included among those suspended.
The suspension announcement came after an attack on members of the Sagbama Local Government executive committee by unknown thugs, which initially delayed the announcement.
The six other party members suspended alongside Seibarugu include Osomkime Blankson, Alex Blankson, Chief Olomo Agbama Apina, Dr. Pakinson Mamanuel, Ebiye Waripamo, and Pastor Esther Saiyou.
One of the suspended members, Osomkime Blankson, had previously challenged the legitimacy of the party’s congresses in 2022 and obtained a court ruling declaring those congresses void. However, despite the ruling, the party moved ahead with the disciplinary actions against Blankson and others.
According to Okokuro, the suspensions followed the findings of the party’s fact-finding and disciplinary committee. He emphasized the importance of rebuilding the party ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that the suspended members had been involved in actions harmful to the party.
He said, “It is on record that the parallel APC Secretariat situated at the Isaac Boro Expressway, Biogbolo is being managed by Blankson.
“It is also on record that all the aforementioned members have been involved in anti-party activities since the Senatorial bye-election in 2020 when they conspired with the People’s Democratic Party candidate and worked against our party’s candidate.
“During the 2023 National Assembly elections, they and their supporters openly worked against our National Assembly candidates.
“In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, they openly worked for Gov. Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and enjoyed the patronage of the PDP government of Bayelsa State.
“As 2027 approaches, we are making efforts to rebuild the party and build confidence in party grassroots members in the state.”
“Based on the recommendations of the Fact-Finding and Disciplinary Committees, we hereby suspend them indefinitely from the party.”
