Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), deepening the political tensions that have gripped the state in recent months.
Amaewhule announced the collective defection during plenary on Friday, attributing their move to what he described as a “division” within the PDP, which, according to him, made their continued stay in the party “untenable.”
He informed the Assembly that he had formally notified his ward chairman of his exit from the PDP. “Distinguished colleagues, APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to ensure that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time,” the Speaker declared.
Amaewhule added that joining the APC would enable the lawmakers to support President Bola Tinubu more effectively, praising the President’s leadership and what he called his “love for Rivers State.”
“Mr President is doing so much for this country. We believe supporting him from inside the APC is the right step for us,” he said.
The defection comes against the backdrop of a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, marked by a fierce power tussle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State Assembly loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The crisis has included attempts to impeach the Governor, parallel sittings, court interventions, and a fractured legislative chamber, resulting in deepened political divisions and shifting alliances.
The move by the 16 lawmakers is expected to further alter the political landscape of the state and may escalate the already tense relationship between the Governor and the Assembly faction opposed to him.
