Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through Rivers State’s political landscape, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, along with sixteen other lawmakers, have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This mass defection represents one of the most significant realignments in the state’s political history and is expected to have far-reaching implications for the legislative and political balance within Rivers State.
According to insiders, the lawmakers, representing various constituencies across the state, coordinated their move after extensive consultations and strategic deliberations. They cited a convergence of political interests, alignment with APC’s governance philosophy, and a desire to support national and state-level developmental agendas as central reasons for abandoning the PDP. Sources familiar with the development revealed that the lawmakers had expressed dissatisfaction with internal PDP dynamics, claiming that leadership and decision-making within the party had increasingly marginalized key voices in the state legislature.
Speaker Amaewhule, who has long been a prominent figure in Rivers politics, is expected to play a leading role in consolidating APC’s influence within the House. Political analysts suggest that his defection, coupled with the movement of sixteen legislators, effectively shifts the legislative majority, giving the APC a stronger foothold in shaping legislative priorities, committee assignments, and policy direction in the state.
Observers also note that this move comes at a critical period ahead of future elections, where party strength and legislative backing are essential for gubernatorial and legislative contests. By integrating the Speaker and his bloc, the APC not only gains numerical advantage but also enhances its strategic leverage over key political processes in Rivers State.
While formal public announcements and induction ceremonies into the APC are expected in the coming days, the decision has already sparked reactions across the political spectrum. PDP leadership in the state is reportedly assessing the impact of the defections, while political commentators have described the event as a “game-changing realignment” that underscores the fluidity of party loyalty in contemporary Nigerian politics.
This defection highlights a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where lawmakers and political actors increasingly shift allegiances in response to changing political calculations, policy alignment, or leadership disputes. Analysts warn that the move could set off a series of realignments and counter-defections as parties recalibrate ahead of key elections, reshaping Rivers State’s political landscape and governance trajectory.
Further updates are expected as the defectors make formal statements and outline their vision within the APC, while both parties navigate the immediate political consequences of this historic shift.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments