‘Their Action Is A Defection From APC To APC’ – PDP Condemns Rivers Lawmakers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the defection of 17 Rivers State lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC), labelling their actions as reckless and a betrayal of the democratic process at a critical juncture for the state’s governance.

In an interview with Saturday Punch, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the lawmakers’ defection as an act of “betrayal” that undermined the mandate of the people of Rivers State and destabilised the legislature for political gain.

Naija News had earlier reported that the defection was led by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who, during Friday’s plenary, announced the shift of allegiance to the APC. Amaewhule attributed the move to what he called a division within the PDP.

He said, “Distinguished colleagues, APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the APC is issued to me in no time. But as I speak today, I am a member of the APC. 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.”

Amaewhule added, “As of today, even the national headquarters of the PDP is not functioning as a result of this division. There are two factions, and the constitution is clear that when there is a division in any political party, when the party is divided, members including Assembly members who no longer have hope can leave the party without any consequences.”

PDP Calls Defection A “Re-Defection”

However, Ememobong dismissed Amaewhule’s justification, stating that nothing about the development was surprising. He pointed out that this was not a new defection but rather a “re-defection”.

Ememobong said, “This is a case of re-defection; they had previously defected then later denied it. The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made a mockery of the legislature.

“So, the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC.”

House Adjourns Over Fubara’s Delay In Commissioner Nominations

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly expressed concern over Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s delay in submitting the list of commissioner nominees for screening. Speaker Amaewhule termed the delay a breach of the constitution.

The House adjourned plenary to January 26, 2026, following the development. A statement issued later by the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, reiterated the House’s decision to adopt the auditorium of the legislative quarters as its official chamber.

At the 39th Legislative Sitting, the House reaffirmed its earlier resolution made on December 14, 2023, to use the Assembly quarters auditorium for its sittings.

Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Somiari-Stewart, who moved the motion, highlighted that Section 101 of the Nigerian Constitution empowered the House to regulate its procedures, including the venue for sittings.

Amaewhule supported the motion, stating, “What makes an Assembly is the people and not the building.” He also called on security agencies to ensure the safety of the Assembly quarters, enabling the House to perform its constitutional duties.

The statement added, “Still on Friday, 17 members of the House who were elected into the House under the umbrella of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, defected to the APC.

“The reason given for the defection, as individually affirmed, was predicated on the division in the party at the national level, which has made the future of the party hazy and nebulous.”

“Those who defected to the All Progressives Congress include the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule; the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol; the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack; the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart; the Chief Whip, Hon. Frankline Nwabuchi; and the Deputy Whip, Hon. Ofiks Kabang. Others are Hon. Peter Abbey, Hon. Smart Adoki, Hon. Igwe Aforji, Hon. Arnold Davids, Hon. Enemi George, Hon. Tekenari Granville, Hon. Christian Nwankwo, Hon. Gerald Oforji, Hon. Azeru Opara, Hon. Lolo Opuende, and Hon. Solomon Wami.”