Politics
BREAKING: 16 Rivers Lawmakers, Speaker Amaewhule Dump PDP for APC
Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking one of the biggest political shake-ups in the state in recent months.
The lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, announced their defection during plenary on Friday, citing a deep “division” within the PDP as the primary reason for their exit.
Amaewhule told the Assembly that he had already informed his ward chairman of his departure from the PDP and aligned fully with the APC.
He said, “Distinguished colleagues, APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. But as I speak today, I am a member of the All Progressives Congress. I am happy to be a member of APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. Mr President is doing so much for this country.”
The Speaker praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, stating that the President “means well for Nigeria’’ and has shown “love to Rivers State.” Amaewhule added that supporting the President from within the APC had become the lawmakers’ priority, arguing that internal conflicts within the PDP made remaining in the party untenable.
Rivers State has been embroiled in a prolonged political crisis since late 2023, fueled by tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Assembly members loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike.
Amaewhule leads the faction widely seen as loyal to Wike and has been involved in several controversial legislative actions, including attempted impeachment proceedings that intensified the crisis.
The political turmoil has triggered conflicting court rulings regarding the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly. At various times, courts have alternately recognized Amaewhule and Edison Ehie, now Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara as Speaker.
At the national level, the PDP continues to struggle with internal fractures, many stemming from unresolved disputes involving Wike and the party’s leadership.
The lawmakers’ claim of a PDP “division” aligns with the growing trend of defections and realignments ahead of the 2027 political cycle, as several stakeholders reassess their positions within the crisis-ridden party.
