Seventeen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have formally announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the reason for their decision.
The defection was made public on Friday, the 5th of December, 2025, during a plenary session by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who was among those who made the switch. The mass exit leaves only ten members formally aligned with the PDP.
Notably, three other lawmakers whose political stance remains “unknown” have not participated in any sittings since the state’s political peace deal and the suspension of the emergency rule, having previously maintained loyalty to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The formal reception of the defecting members was marked by the presence of the Factional Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, who was on hand to welcome the new entrants.
The list of defectors includes key figures like:Speaker Martin Amaewhule (Obio-Akpor I), Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), 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), Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo).
Meanwhile, the ten remaining PDP members responded to the realignment by appointing Sylvanus Nwankwo of Omuma Constituency as the new Minority Leader.
Speaking on the floor, Speaker Amaewhule formally confirmed his departure from the PDP: “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.”
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He enthusiastically embraced his new political home: “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.”
Amaewhule’s rationale centered on aligning with the central government, stating: “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.”
He concluded by expressing gratitude and a commitment to support the President’s agenda: “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.”
It is relevant to note that this is not the first attempt by members of the Assembly to defect. Back in December 2023, 27 lawmakers announced a similar switch to the APC during a period of intense political friction. That move was later “denied,” with the lawmakers claiming the reports were “AI-generated.”
A subsequent legal challenge eventually reached the Supreme Court, which ruled that there was “no valid proof of their defection,” overturning the former factional Speaker’s declaration that their seats were vacant.