- This episode adds to a long-running history of defection controversies in the Assembly
- The court ruled that the lawmakers retained their positions because there was no legally recognized evidence of defection
- he said his move was motivated by a desire to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Seventeen Rivers State lawmakers have left the PDP for the APC, citing deep internal crises within their former party as the reason for their defection.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the announcement came during Friday’s plenary session, where Speaker Martin Amaewhule also declared his own switch to the APC. With this development, only ten legislators remain under the PDP platform.
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Not counted in that number are three members who sided with Governor Siminalayi Fubara during the height of the political conflict earlier in the year. Since the peace accord that ended the state’s emergency political situation, those three legislators have stopped attending sittings, leaving their present political loyalties uncertain.
Tony Okocha, the APC’s factional chairman in Rivers State, attended the sitting to formally welcome the defectors.
This episode adds to the Assembly’s long history of defection controversies, including the December 2023 incident in which 27 lawmakers were reported to have joined the APC during a tense political standoff before later claiming the televised footage was artificially generated.
A legal challenge followed, eventually reaching the Supreme Court after factional Speaker Edison Ehie announced their seats vacant. The court ruled that the lawmakers retained their positions because there was no legally recognized evidence of defection.
Those who joined the APC on Friday are:
Martin Amaewhule (Obio-Akpor I), Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt III), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt II), Enemi George (Asari-Toru II), Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt I), Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru I), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru II), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Ofiks Kabang (Andoni), and Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo).
Meanwhile, the lawmakers who remain with the PDP have selected Sylvanus Nwankwo, representing Omuma Constituency, as the new Minority Leader.
In his remarks, Amaewhule explained that he had formally informed his ward chairman of his decision to dump the PDP.
He said he was eager to obtain his APC membership card and added that his move was motivated by a desire to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he credited for significant efforts in national security and for giving Rivers State increased attention at the federal level.
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