By Didimoko A. Didimoko, Snr Writer
Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, have formally resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a decisive shift in the state’s already fraught political landscape.
The announcement, made during plenary on Friday, brings weeks of speculation to an end and further entrenches the ongoing dispute between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The lawmakers, widely regarded as part of the Wike-aligned bloc, said their decision stemmed from what they described as deepening divisions within the PDP.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Amaewhule said the group had reached a unanimous decision to leave the party, citing Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows lawmakers to defect in the event of a clear division within their political organisation.
“We can no longer remain in a party that has been deeply divided and no longer represents the ideals we stood for,” he said. “We have therefore chosen to align with the All Progressives Congress, which offers a more stable and coherent platform.”
The move adds a fresh layer to the political crisis that has gripped Rivers State since late 2023, when relations between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, collapsed. The rift triggered a sequence of confrontations, including an attempted impeachment, rival legislative sittings, parallel leadership claims and interventions from the presidency.
Friday’s defection strengthens the influence of the Wike faction within the Assembly and places additional pressure on Governor Fubara, who has struggled to maintain control of the PDP structure amid court battles and internal disagreements. Political analysts say the shift could significantly alter legislative dynamics, particularly regarding budget approvals, oversight functions and executive-legislative relations in the months ahead.
The PDP, once dominant in the state, now faces renewed questions about cohesion and long-term viability, especially as internal disputes continue to erode its presence in a key South-South stronghold.
With the entry of Amaewhule and the 15 other lawmakers into the APC, the balance of power in the Rivers Assembly has shifted decisively, setting the stage for a more contentious political season as the state navigates ongoing governance and stability challenges.
