Anti-Party Activities: Bayelsa APC Expels Two, Suspends 7 Others

APC-Logo1The Bayelsa State chapter of All Progressives Congress on Monday expelled two senior members of the party and suspended seven others for alleged anti-party activities.

Those expelled are Sunday Oputu and Perekeme Kpodo, one time chairman of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party in the state and former security adviser to former Governor Timipre Sylva.

The suspended members are Harrow Zuokumo, Enoch Koripamo, Christopher Abariowei, Godwin Sidi, Fred Akamu, Rosemary Okeazi and Livinus Opratapu.

The Bayelsa APC Secretary, Marlin Daniel, announced the decision of the party at a press conference in Yenagoa, the state capital.

According to the APC scribe, Oputu and Kpodo had since joined the ruling PDP in the state.

Justifying the party’s action, Mr. Daniel explained that Kpodo was expelled for saying the APC was dead on arrival while Mr. Oputu had not been part of the party.

“We want to make it clear that they are not members of the party. They have since been expelled. Kpodo was expelled when he allegedly said the APC was dead on arrival in the state”, he said.

“Oputu himself has not been part of the party. But we are surprised of recent that they have been calling party meetings, in what capacity, we do not know.

“We want to alert the members of the general public to know that they are not part of the APC in Bayelsa State and that nobody should deal with them in that respect. We are aware that the re-emergence of these people was sponsored by the PDP government of Seriake Dickson”.

The APC secretary further said the duo were recruiting others, who are not members of the APC, to hold meetings at Mr. Kpodo’s hotel.

“Money is shared to them and this money is from the PDP government through Kpodo and his co-travellers”, he stated.

He stated that the party has set up a five-member committee to probe the activities of those sent on suspension.

Members of the committee, which is to be chaired by Peres Peretu, according to Mr. Daniel, are Eke James, Chris Alagoa and P. Arepade while Tokpo Coronation will serve as secretary.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kpodo has described his expulsion from APC as a “huge joke” and “unconstitutional”.

According to Kpodo, the state APC had no power to suspend or expel him.