In another twist to the political crisis rocking Rivers State, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 16 other lawmakers have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amaewhule announced the decision during plenary on Friday, December 5, saying the defection followed “a clear division” within 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,” he said.
He then declared allegiance to the ruling APC, expressing enthusiasm about joining forces with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“APC is my new party. I will do all is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in not time,” he stated.
“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 headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country,” Amaewhule added.
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The defectors include Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo) and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
With the defection, the APC now controls 17 out of the 27 House seats, while the remaining 10 PDP lawmakers named Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma Constituency) as their Minority Leader.
Plenary was later adjourned until Monday, January 26, 2026.
The mass defection marks a significant escalation in the months-long confrontation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, current Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Amaewhule, who leads the group of lawmakers aligned with Wike, has repeatedly clashed with the Fubara administration, deepening tensions in the state’s political landscape.
In the wake of the crisis, conflicting court rulings have emerged over the legitimacy of the Amaewhule‑led Assembly, leaving uncertainty over the composition and authority of the House.
At the national level, the PDP continues to battle internal divisions, with similar disputes involving Wike and the party’s leadership prompting waves of defection across the country.
As the battle lines harden in Rivers State, analysts say the latest switch signals a consolidation of Wike’s camp under the ruling APC banner ahead of the 2027 general elections.