The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has cleared the air that he is the Leader of APC in Bayelsa state.
State reporters informed that the revelations were made at the Bayelsa state Government house on Wednesday 31 July, when the Minister paid a courtesy visit on the Government of the state.
Lokpobri stressed that he is the leader of the All Progressive Congress in Bayelsa state, being the highest ranked member of the party as Minister, adding that the APC under his leadership was united unlike it was under Chief Timipre Sylva, who he said ran a “one man show.”
The Minister was accompanied by a team, which included the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Bayelsa 2019 governorship poll, Chief David Lyon, and immediate past Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli.
The Minister on behalf of the President of Nigeria, commended the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his leadership qualities and good working relationship despite being in opposition.
The Minister said he was under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting for his appointees to join forces with state governors to ensure the planned nationwide protest does not get violent.
“We are here to first of all commend you for your exceptional leadership. The world is a global village and all that you are doing here are known all over. So I am here to extend the commendation of Mr. President for the good work you are doing.
“As Ministers, Mr. President gave us very clear directive that we work with the governors at this particular time to ensure that there is peace and that there was no need for violent protest in our respective states.
“After our Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, Mr. President directed us to liaise with our governors to ensure that we do not have a repeat of the 2020 #EndSARS.
“Bayelsa people are known for our peaceful nature. So, I want to thank you for the engagements you have done since the issue of this protest started. I am here to complement what you are doing.” He said.
In his remarks, Governor Diri thanked Lokpobri for giving the state proper representation in the Federal Executive Council.
Meanwhile, in a statement released by the Governor’s Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the governor of Bayelsa state acknowledged the rights of the people to protest in a democracy but stressed that there must be a good reason, which he argued can be resolved through dialogue.
He said his administration deployed dialogue from the beginning and because of his performance, the people re-elected him for another term.
Diri again advised the people not to join the protest given that it was being orchestrated by failed politicians in the state.
He directed that there will be no public holiday in the state as all government offices, markets and businesses will open for normal daily activities.
