Seventeen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, have cited the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the reason for their decision.
The lawmakers announced their defection on Friday.
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who also defected, disclosed the development during plenary.
Ten other members remain in the PDP.
This excludes three lawmakers who, at the peak of the political crisis in the state, stayed loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The three lawmakers have not attended any sitting since the last peace deal and the suspension of the emergency rule in the state.
Their political stance remain unknown.
Factional Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, was present in the chamber to formally receive the defecting lawmakers.
This is not the first time members of the Assembly have announced their defection to the APC.
On December 11, 2023, at the height of the state’s political turmoil, 27 lawmakers declared their defection to the ruling party.
They later denied the move, claiming that televised reports of their defection were AI-generated.
A lawsuit instituted over the alleged defection progressed to the Supreme Court after the then factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, declared their seats vacant.
The court eventually ruled in favour of the lawmakers, holding that there was no valid proof of their defection.
Those who defected Friday are:
Speaker Martin Amaewhule (Obio-Akpor I), Deputy Speaker 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 10 remaining PDP lawmakers have appointed Sylvanus Nwankwo of Omuma Constituency as Minority Leader.
Speaking on the defection, Speaker Amaewhule said: “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided—and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu—of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.
“APC is my new party. I will do all that is required to ensure that the membership card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time.
“I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security head-on.
“The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country.
“I am delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President from within the All Progressives Congress.”
