Rivers Speaker and 16 other assembly members have defected from APC to PDP.
Glamtush reports that 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amaewhule announced the lawmakers’ decision during plenary on Friday, citing what he described as a “division” within the PDP as the reason for their defection.
He told lawmakers he had formally notified his ward chairman of his exit from the PDP, adding that he had already joined the APC.
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.
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 informed the members about Governor Siminalayi’s alleged failure to fully constitute the state executive council and the lack of appointment of an attorney general for the state.
The House later adjourned plenary to Monday, January 26, 2026.
Since late 2023, Rivers State has been engulfed in a prolonged political rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Amaewhule leads the faction seen as loyal to Wike, and the Assembly has made several moves, including attempted impeachment, that escalated tensions.
The internal crisis has also spawned conflicting court rulings on the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, with different judgments at various times recognising either Amaewhule or Edison Ehie (now Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara) as Speaker.
At the national level, the PDP has continued to grapple with internal fractures, including long-running disputes involving Wike and the party leadership.
The lawmakers’ reference to “division” in the PDP aligns with a trend of alignments and defections triggered by the party’s unresolved internal battles.
