In a bid to ensure that the governor-elect of Bayelsa State, Chief David Lyon, meets the expectation of Bayelsans from February 14, 2020, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Legacy Group has appealed to the former Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, to withdraw his court case challenging the outcome of September 4th Governorship Primary of the party.
In a statement issued in Yenagoa, the Publicity Secretary of the APC Legacy Group, Elder Christopher Abarowei, said it is not against Lokpobiri exercising his constitutional right but that he must come to terms with the fact that elections are over and all party faithful are expected to work with Chief Lyon for the overall interest and growth of the state.
The group made up of members of the defunct All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) specifically urged Lokpobiri to disregard the advice of those asking him to challenge the outcome of the primary in court, warning that his actions may distract the incoming administration from concentrating on fulfilling its campaign promises.
Recall that Lokpobiri had filed a suit praying the court for an order setting aside the nomination of Lyon as the governorship candidate of the APC in the just concluded November 16th Governorship Election on the grounds that Lyon did not win the September 4 primary poll, insisting that the court should not declare him the candidate of the APC.
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He further said that the group has started a robust discussion with Lyon and the leadership of the party with a view to being magnanimous in victory by setting up a government of unity, that would protect the interest of every Bayelsans.
Abarowei said, “we have advised the incoming government to be magnanimous in victory. I believe that will be done. We have urged that irrespective of a divide in the political interest the government should pick the best brains across the land and those who can contribute to the development of the state into strategic positions.
“Lokpobiri has his right and nobody can infringe on his right. That is why we have not said he cannot go to court but we are simply saying that he should withdraw his case against Lyon in court for the sake of smooth running of governance from February 14th, 2020.
“We strongly believe that the APC is one strong and indivisible family, and we are confident that Lokpobiri would drop the legal option in expressing his grievances because that has been the counsel of many well-meaning Bayelsans who believe that Lyon has positively impacted their communities and has a lot more to contribute to developing the state.
“Instead of staying in court, we are saying, we are saying draw the development of the state backwards. Let us give our state time for development and let the government be focused on providing good governance because we need to get Bayelsa out of the wood and address developmental issues instead of diverting the attention of the government by going to court.”
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