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The conflict inside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the explanation given by seventeen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

On Friday, the lawmakers declared their intention to defect.

During plenary, Speaker of the House Martin Amaewhule—who also defected—announced the news.

The PDP still has ten members.

This does not include three members who remained faithful to Governor Siminalayi Fubara throughout the height of the state’s political crisis.

Since the previous peace agreement and the state’s suspension of the emergency rule, the three parliamentarians have not attended any sessions.

Their political position is still unknown.

Tony Okocha, the APC’s Rivers State factional chairman, was in the room to formally welcome the lawmakers who had defected.

According to ZINGTIE, Assembly members have previously declared their intention to desert to the APC.

27 MPs announced their defection to the ruling party on December 11, 2023, at the height of the state’s political unrest.

Later, they disputed the action, saying that rumors of their defection on television were created by artificial intelligence.

After the then-factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, declared their seats empty, a lawsuit pertaining to the purported defection made its way to the Supreme Court.

In the end, the court decided in favor of the lawmakers, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to support their defection.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule (Obio-Akpor I), Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt III), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt II), Enemi George (Asari-Toru II), Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt I), Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru I), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru II), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Ofiks Kabang (Andoni), and Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo) defected on Friday.

Sylvanus Nwankwo of the Omuma Constituency has been designated as the Minority Leader by the ten surviving PDP lawmakers.

Speaking on the defection, Speaker Amaewhule said: “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided—and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu—of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.

“APC is my new party. I will do all that is required to ensure that the membership card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time.

“I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security head-on.

“The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country.

“I am delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President from within the All Progressives Congress.”

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