Sixteen lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), deepening the state's already fraught political landscape. Speaker Martin Amaewhule announced the mass defection during Friday's plenary, attributing the move to what he described as unresolved divisions within the PDP.
"Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your speaker has decided and has indeed written to my ward chairman of my decision to leave the PDP. APC is my new party,” Amaewhule declared.
“I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the APC is issued to me in no time. But as we speak today, I am a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr. President.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing so much for this country. He means well for Nigeria. He is tackling the issue of security headlong. The president has shown love to Rivers State.
"The president is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country," he added.
The defectors include Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Linda Stewart, and several other members.
Their switch comes just two days after the 32-member Assembly passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu and urged him to seek reelection.
The development also follows months of political tension in Rivers State. On March 18, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state over escalating instability, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other officials for six months. The emergency rule was lifted on September 17, 2025.
