Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amaewhule announced the decision during Friday’s plenary, citing a “clear division” within the PDP as the reason for their exit. He stated that he had already informed his ward chairman of his resignation from the party.
His deputy, Dumle Maol, also joined the defection alongside 14 other lawmakers— all known loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Wike was recently expelled from the PDP over alleged anti-party activities. The defecting lawmakers had previously hinted at switching to the APC during the height of the political crisis in the state but later denied it.
