JUST IN: 16 Rivers lawmakers, speaker, dump PDP, join APC

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).

Amaewhule announced the decision during plenary on Friday, attributing the lawmakers’ defection to what he described as a “clear division” within the PDP.

The development marks a significant shift in the state’s political landscape and comes amid ongoing tensions within the ruling party in Rivers State.

With the defection, the APC has 17 members.

The 10 remaining members of the PDP in the House appointed Sylvanus Nwankwo of Omuma constituency as Minority Leader.

Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, hinged his decision to dump the PDP on the “division in the PDP”.

“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,” he said.

“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. 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 headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress,” the Speaker added.

During plenary, the House Leader, Major Jack, informed the members about Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s alleged failure to fully constitute the state executive council and the lack of appointment of an attorney general for the state.