Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has led 16 members of the South-South state’s Assembly to dump the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Speaker announced the lawmakers’ decision during plenary, citing “division” within the PDP as the reason for their decision.
He told lawmakers he had formally notified his ward chairman of his exit from the PDP, adding that he had already joined the APC.
“Distinguished colleagues, APC is my new party. I will do all that needs to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time.
“But as I speak today, I am a member of the All Progressives Congress. I am happy to be a member of APC so that we can join forces with Mr. President. Mr. President is doing so much for this country.”
The Speaker praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, saying the President “means well for Nigeria’’ and had shown “love to Rivers State.”
He added that supporting the President from inside the APC was now the lawmakers’ priority, insisting that internal divisions within the PDP made their continued membership untenable.
Rivers State has been engulfed in a prolonged political rift since 2023 between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The Speaker leads the faction seen as loyal to Wike, and the Assembly has made several moves, including attempted impeachment, that escalated tensions and eventual declaration of emergency rule in the oil-rich south
