Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers announced their defection during plenary on Friday, with Amaewhule attributing their move to what he described as deep–seated divisions within the PDP.
He told the Assembly that he had already notified his ward chairman of his resignation from the party and had taken steps to formalise his membership of the APC.
“APC is my new party,” the Speaker declared.
“I will do all that is needed for the party card of the All Progressives Congress to be issued to me in no time. As I speak today, I am a member of the All Progressives Congress.”
Amaewhule commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying the President “means well for Nigeria” and had shown “love to Rivers State.”
He said the lawmakers were determined to support the President’s agenda from within the APC, arguing that the internal crisis in the PDP left them with no viable political future in the party.
Their defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Rivers State, where tensions between rival factions have intensified in recent months.
