The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Amaewhule defected along with 16 other members of the House on Friday.
The defectors blamed their departure from the PDP on the crisis in the party.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo) and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
With the defection, the APC has 17 members.
The 10 remaining members of the PDP in the House appointed Sylvanus Nwankwo of Omuma constituency as Minority Leader
‘APC My New Party’
Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, hinged his decision to dump the PDP on the “division in the PDP”.
“Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic 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,” the Speaker added.
During plenary, the House Leader, Major Jack, informed the members about Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s alleged failure to fully constitute the state executive council and the lack of appointment of an attorney general for the state.
Rivers Politics
The PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich state since 1999, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Consequently, President Bola Tinubu waded in and declared a state of emergency on March 18, suspending Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.
Tinubu also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ete (retd.) as the administrator.
At the expiration of the emergency rule on September 17, the President reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers.
The crisis in the PDP has lingered since the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
The division deepened with the emergence of two factions at the national level of the party.
