Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, alongside sixteen lawmakers, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, citing deep-seated divisions within the PDP.
Amaewhule announced the move during plenary on Friday, informing members that he had already notified his ward chairman of his resignation from the PDP and aligned himself with the APC.
“Distinguished colleagues, APC is my new party,” he declared, adding that the process of obtaining his APC membership card was already underway. “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.”
The Speaker commended President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a leader who “means well for Nigeria” and has continued to show “love to Rivers State.” He maintained that the lawmakers’ support for the President would now be more effective from within the ruling party.
The latest political realignment comes against the backdrop of a prolonged crisis that has gripped Rivers State politics since late 2023. The rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the faction of lawmakers loyal to former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has produced months of tension, power tussles, and competing claims to legitimacy within the Assembly.
Amaewhule, regarded as the leader of the Wike-aligned faction, previously presided over attempts to impeach Governor Fubara. The conflict has also triggered contradictory court rulings, with some decisions recognising Amaewhule as Speaker and others affirming Edison Ehie—now Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara.
At the national level, the PDP continues to battle unresolved internal disputes, many stemming from disagreements involving Wike and the party’s leadership. The lawmakers’ claim of a “division” within the party mirrors the ongoing nationwide cracks that have fueled multiple defections since the 2023 general elections.
With the latest shift, political observers say Rivers State may witness further realignments as both camps intensify their struggle for influence ahead of upcoming political cycles.
Source: Punch
