The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered a major setback on Tuesday as two of its senators from Rivers State, Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East) and Barinada Mpigi (Rivers South-East), formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defections, announced separately on the floor of the Senate during plenary, were made in the presence of a high-powered APC delegation drawn from the party’s national and state leadership. Both lawmakers cited unresolved internal divisions within the PDP and the need to align with the Federal Government to effectively serve their constituents as key reasons for leaving the opposition party.
Onyesoh said his decision followed consultations with political leaders and stakeholders in his senatorial district. “Political parties are channels for the exploration of political interests. It was on this basis that I got elected on the platform of the PDP. However, recent events have revealed the importance of aligning with the centre and the political will to transform the fortunes of my people,” he stated. He assured that his developmental agenda for Rivers East would remain intact, irrespective of party affiliation.
Mpigi, citing Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, said the PDP had become engulfed in unresolved crises at all levels, making continued membership untenable. “The PDP has unresolved issues and divisions at the national, state, local government and even ward levels, resulting in a breakdown of effective party authority in Rivers State,” he explained. He thanked the PDP for providing him the platform to enter the National Assembly but said the party had failed to create a stable environment for its elected officials.
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APC leaders, including the National Secretary, South-South National Vice Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Youth Leader, and the Rivers State APC chairman, formally received the defectors, describing the move as a significant boost to the party’s influence in the South-South geopolitical zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defections further consolidate APC’s numerical strength in the Senate, while the PDP continues to grapple with internal divisions and a shrinking presence in the Red Chamber.