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27 Rivers State Lawmakers Defect to APC Amidst Speakership Tussle
In a significant twist to the ongoing political saga in Rivers State, 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision was confirmed by a member of the Assembly, Enemi George, who stated that the lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, made the pivotal move during their sitting on Monday morning.
This development comes amidst a prolonged Speakership tussle involving Martin Amaewhule and another Assembly member, Edison Ehie. Amaewhule, purportedly aligned with ex-governor Nyesom Wike, has been entangled in a power struggle with Ehie, who is known to be in the camp of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The rift escalated in October when, under Amaewhule’s leadership, the Assembly served an impeachment notice on Governor Fubara and removed Ehie as the House leader. However, in a swift response, members loyal to Fubara impeached Amaewhule and installed Ehie as the new Speaker.
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The origin of the crisis can be traced back to a longstanding feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Despite public appearances together in recent weeks, Monday’s mass defection from the PDP to the APC adds a new layer of complexity to the political landscape in the state.
The 27 lawmakers’ move to the APC raises questions about the potential impact on the balance of power within the Assembly and the broader political implications for Rivers State. The situation is likely to unfold into more political drama as the factions navigate the evolving dynamics.
In a parallel development over the weekend, some notable figures from other parties declared their defection to the PDP. Patricia Ogbonnaya, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 election, and former Ahoada-West Chairman, Karibo Wilson, led the defectors. They joined the PDP faction aligned with Governor Fubara, alongside lawmakers from the Ehie-led group.
With the shifting allegiances and political realignments, Rivers State braces itself for a period of heightened political activity and intrigue, as the various factions maneuver to assert their influence in the unfolding political narrative.
