Political chaos as 27 PDP lawmakers in Rivers defect to APC; Rivers APC caretaker chairman welcomes defectors, others
The 26 PDP lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly who are loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, have this morning announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress.
Monday’s mass defection raises concerns about the potential new twist in the state’s political landscape.
Amaewhule was reported to have aligned with ex-governor Nyesom Wike, clashed with Ehie, who is known to be in the camp of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This shift in allegiance was confirmed by Assembly member Enemi George during an exclusive interview with Channels Television, revealing that the lawmakers were under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule.
The decision to defect, according to George, was reached during a crucial sitting on Monday morning, December 11, 2023. The move comes amid weeks of intense Speakership tussle between Amaewhule and another Assembly member, Edison Ehie.
The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Tony Okocha has announced the party’s acceptance of the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He described the decision as the right move in the interest of Rivers State.
According to him, the defection will provide the much needed check and balance of the incumbent State Government which he says has not lived up to expectations since coming into power.
Recall the Assembly, under Amaewhule’s leadership, had served an impeachment notice on Governor Fubara in October and ousted Ehie as the House leader.
But in response, members loyal to Fubara promptly impeached Amaewhule, appointing Ehie as the new Speaker.
The root cause of the crisis in the 32-member Assembly is traceable to a longstanding rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Despite recent public appearances together, suggesting a resolution of their differences, Monday’s mass defection raises concerns about the seeming quiet in the potential landscape in the state.
Meanwhile in a similar twist, political dynamics took another turn over the weekend as some key figures from other parties announced their defection to the PDP in the state.
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 pack of defectors from SDP and APC.
Accompanied by their supporters and other party executives, Ogbonnaya and Wilson pledged their allegiance to the PDP group aligned with Governor Fubara.
Notably present during this announcement were members of the Ehie-led faction of lawmakers, with representatives such as Goodboy Sokari from Ahoada West and Oko Jumbo from Bonny Constituency standing in support of Governor Fubara.
