SIXTEEN members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have dumped their party – the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC)
The defection was announced during plenary by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who convened the sitting at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters on Aba Road, on Friday December 5, where lawmakers have been meeting since the demolition of their official chamber.
Amaewhule, who has been at the centre of the Assembly’s prolonged standoff with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, told colleagues he was also leaving the PDP.
“Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your Speaker has decided and has indeed written to my (sic) ward chairman about my (sic) decision to leave the PDP. APC is my new party.
“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the 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,” he added.
Meanwhile, the 10 remaining members of the PDP in the House appointed Sylvanus Nwankwo of Omuma constituency as Minority Leader. He was sworn in alongside three others as minority officer holders. They are Dominic Iderima, Justina Emeji, and Barile Wako.
The lawmakers’ defection came barely three months after the Assembly resumed full legislative duties on September 18, following President Tinubu’s decision to lift the six-month state of emergency imposed on the state in March 2025.
The measure, according to the president, was triggered to halt the breakdown of governance during the rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Assembly.
The lawmakers who defected include: 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, and Ofiks Kabang.
This mass exit further alters the political complexion of the legislature, which only recently returned to normal operations after emergency rule dissolved the state’s political structures and installed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.
Their move also followed Wednesday, December 3, vote of confidence in Tinubu, passed by 32 members of the House.
The lawmakers had urged him to contest for a second term.
“In a remarkable display of appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, and confidence in his administration, the Rivers State House of Assembly at its 37th legislative sitting on Wednesday resolved on a motion calling on the President to run for a second term in office,” a statement by the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, read.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M