Fresh tension has returned to the Rivers State House of Assembly as seventeen lawmakers on Friday announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, citing unresolved problems within the PDP.
Another development from the plenary showed that Speaker Martin Amaewhule led the team of defectors, informing his colleagues that he had already communicated his decision to his ward chairman.
Additional information revealed that ten lawmakers have remained with the PDP, maintaining the minority position within the fractured Assembly.
Elsewhere in the state legislature, three lawmakers who earlier aligned themselves with Governor Siminalayi Fubara have continued to stay away from sittings since the peace agreement that ended the height of the crisis. Their current political direction is still not clear.
Present in the chamber to welcome the new APC members was the factional state chairman of the party, Tony Okocha, who congratulated the defectors for what he described as a bold political choice.
Memories of a similar episode in December 2023 resurfaced as observers recalled when twenty-seven lawmakers reportedly defected to the APC before later denying the action, insisting the televised announcement was generated by artificial intelligence.
That controversy later progressed to the Supreme Court after the factional Speaker at the time, Edison Ehie, declared their seats vacant. The apex court ruled that there was no valid evidence to establish that the lawmakers had defected.
Listed among those who moved to the APC on Friday are Speaker Martin Amaewhule, Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Linda Stewart, Franklin Nwabochi, Azeru Opara, Smart Adoki, Enemi George, Solomon Wami, Igwe Aforji, Tekena Wellington, Looloo Opuende, Peter Abbey, Arnold Dennis, Chimezie Nwankwo, Ofiks Kabang and Gerald Oforji.
Meanwhile, the PDP members still in the House have selected Sylvanus Nwankwo from Omuma Constituency as the Minority Leader.
Reacting to his defection, Amaewhule told his colleagues that he was pleased to join the APC, adding that he looked forward to receiving his membership card soon. He said the Tinubu administration was addressing national security concerns and giving Rivers people significant recognition at the federal level.
According to him, joining the APC will enable the defectors to contribute more effectively to national governance and support the President from within the ruling party.
