Rivers State was thrown into renewed political uncertainty on Friday as Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, led 15 fellow lawmakers in defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amaewhule announced the defections during a plenary session, citing deep-seated divisions within the PDP as the reason for their exit. He described the situation as a “clear and irreconcilable division” that made continuing under the party untenable.
The move instantly shifts the power dynamics within the House of Assembly and represents a significant escalation in the ongoing political struggle that has gripped Rivers State since the bitter fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former governor Nyesom Wike.
Observers say the defection is likely to consolidate the influence of Wike-aligned forces in the legislature, raising the stakes in a long-running battle for political dominance in the state. The conflict has previously seen impeachment threats, parallel legislative sessions, and court disputes over the legality of the Assembly’s leadership.
At the time of filing this report, officials in the Fubara administration had not issued an official response, though insiders suggest the government is closely monitoring developments and may consider legal options.
Political analysts warn that Friday’s announcement could trigger a new round of legal and political maneuvers, further complicating governance in a state already grappling with internal party crises and competing power blocs.
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