The Bayelsa State Elders Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused loyalists of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, of waging a coordinated propaganda campaign against former Governor and party leader, Chief Timipre Sylva.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the Forum’s Secretary, Chief Clarkson Ayebaepreye, alleged that Lokpobiri’s camp was behind recent “false narratives” linking Sylva to alleged hostilities against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Describing the allegations as “baseless, malicious, and politically motivated,” the Forum said the campaign was designed to sow disunity within the Bayelsa chapter of the APC.
“Over the past weeks, we have observed a disturbing trend of publications and insinuations falsely alleging that Chief Sylva has engaged in activities hostile to President Tinubu’s administration. These claims are pure fabrications intended to divide the party,” the statement read in part.
According to the Forum, a discreet fact-finding committee it constituted found that the falsehoods were being circulated by a small faction within the party, allegedly acting in concert with external interests bent on destabilizing the APC in Bayelsa.
“It is now increasingly evident that the faction led by Senator Lokpobiri has made it its singular pursuit to undermine Chief Sylva and destabilize the Bayelsa APC, rather than contribute to party unity and governance,” the Forum stated.
The elders criticized Lokpobiri for allegedly using his position and influence to fuel intra-party conflicts instead of promoting cohesion, despite having benefitted from the party’s goodwill and appointments.
They urged President Tinubu to call the minister to order, warning that the continued circulation of falsehoods through proxies could damage the image of the APC both in Bayelsa and nationally.
The Forum also cautioned Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to tread carefully in his recent political rapprochement with some APC members, warning him not to be drawn into partisan feuds.
“Governor Diri must stand as a leader for all Bayelsans, not a captive of any clique. Our people deserve reconciliation and purposeful governance, not factionalism disguised as cooperation,” they said.
Reaffirming their loyalty to President Tinubu and commitment to his Renewed Hope Agenda, the elders called for restraint and reconciliation within the party.
“We remind Senator Lokpobiri and his associates that political relevance is sustained through service, not sabotage. It’s time to replace blackmail with bridge-building and bitterness with brotherhood,” the statement concluded.