By Seyi Odewale
Four members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further altering the state’s political landscape.
The lawmakers are Manuchim Umezuruike, who represents Port Harcourt I Federal Constituency; Boniface Emerengwa of Ikwerre/Emuoha Federal Constituency; Awaji-Inombek Abiante of Andoni/Opobo Federal Constituency; and Boma Goodhead of Asari-Toru Federal Constituency.
The defections are coming on the heels of a significant political realignment in Rivers State, following Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent defection to the APC.
Sources said the affected federal lawmakers are aligned with the governor’s political structure.
Announcing his decision to leave the PDP last week, Fubara said he joined the APC to support President Bola Tinubu openly, arguing that his continued political relevance was made possible by the President’s backing.
“The reason why we are still standing is because of that place, and the truth is, without Mr President, there wouldn’t be any His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara; it would have been the former governor,” he said.
The governor added that supporting the President required complete political identification rather than what he described as “backyard support,” insisting that his supporters must move with him.
“So, we have taken that decision today since we have gotten the pass. Everyone here who had followed me, who had suffered with me, our decision today, this evening, we are moving to APC,” Fubara said.
The development followed the defection of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 17 other lawmakers to the APC on December 5, citing the PDP’s lingering crisis as the reason for their exit.
Those who left the PDP at the state assembly include Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt III), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt II), Enemi George (Asari-Toru II) and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt I).
Others are Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru I), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru II), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo) and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
The latest defections underscore the deepening internal crisis within the PDP in Rivers State and signal a growing shift of political forces toward the APC.
