Emerging reports say sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
‎The Speaker, Amaewhule announced the lawmakers’ decision during plenary on Friday, saying division within the PDP is the reason for their defection.
‎‎He informed lawmakers he had formally notified his ward chairman of his exit from the PDP, adding that he had already joined the APC.
‎‎Amaewhule hailed President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying that the President means well for Nigeria and had shown love to Rivers State.
‎He pointed out that supporting the President from inside the APC was now the lawmakers’ priority, stressing that internal divisions within the PDP made their continued membership untenable.
‎Recall that since late 2023, Rivers State has been embroiled in a prolonged political rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
‎‎Amaewhule is the leader of the faction seen as loyal to Wike, and the Assembly has made several moves, including attempted impeachment, that escalated tensions.
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