Bayelsa APC Gets New Chairman after Factional Crisis

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

A new chairman has been appointed by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to oversee the party in Bayelsa State, following the crisis between two factions of the party loyal to former Governor Timipre Sylva and erstwhile Chairman, Tiwei Orunimighe.

The party appointed Mr. Joseph Fafi as the acting Chairman of the party in the state after the expulsion of the former Chairman, Orunimighe, his deputy, Eddy Julius and Secretary, Marlin Daniel by the National Executive Committee (NEC) over alleged anti-party activities.

Consequently, the national leadership of the party had mandated the National Vice- Chairman, South-south, Mr. Hillard Eta, to coordinate the affairs of the party in the state until the appointment of a new chair.

But in a letter signed by Eta and made available to journalists, the party urged Fafi to take over the running of the party in the state and ensure that the secretariat is kept functional.

Titled: ‘Letter of Authority’ and dated August 15, the APC directed Fafi to take charge of the party as chairman pending the ratification of his position by the National Working Committee( NWC).
It directed Fafi to ensure the full functioning of the party secretariat in the state for the benefit of all members.

“On behalf of the NEC of our party, the All Progressive Congress, the NWC at its 23rd Regular meeting adopted the recommendation of APC South-south zonal executive which deliberated on the report of the disciplinary committee that investigated the anti-party activities of the state Chairman, Deputy Chairman and the state Secretary in Bayelsa State.

“It concluded that the named officers be suspended and ultimately expelled from the party. Consequently, the office of the National Vice- Chairman, South-south which I occupy has been mandated to coordinate the Bayelsa State chapter of the party.

“By this letter, you are hereby instructed and authorised to act as state Chairman of the party pending the ratification of same by the NWC of our party. You are therefore to coordinate meetings, deliberations and to ensure the full functioning of the Bayelsa State APC secretariat,” the letter read.

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