Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers announced their decision during a plenary session on Friday, stating the internal division within the PDP as the official reason for their exit.
The defecting lawmakers represent the faction loyal to Wike, making their defection to the APC isolates Governor Fubara, who was elected on the PDP platform. The Assembly has been engaged in a power struggle with Governor Fubara, including previous impeachment attempts and the conflicting court rulings on the legitimacy of the House leadership.
Speaker Amaewhule justified this defection, stating that the internal fractures within the PDP made their membership untenable, emphasizing their priority is to join forces with Mr President and support his leadership from within the APC.
The defection weakens the PDP’s majority control in the state, though the legal implication regarding the lawmakers retaining their seats remains a contentious issue.
Governor Fubara is in a more precarious position, facing an Assembly dominated by the federal ruling party and loyal to his rival, which could lead to governance instability in the state.
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