Seventeen lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly — including Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule — have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made during plenary on Friday, December 5.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Speaker Amaewhule said the lawmakers unanimously decided to join the APC due to what he described as a “deep and irreconcilable division” within the PDP.
“We can no longer remain in a party that is clearly divided and no longer represents the ideals we stand for. In line with Section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, we have decided to move to the All Progressives Congress, which offers a more united and progressive platform,” he declared.
Their defection confirms weeks of speculation fueled by the growing crisis between factions loyal to Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara — a political battle that has rocked the state since late 2023.
The move gives the APC a major boost in the Rivers Assembly, which had previously been largely controlled by the PDP.
