December 23, (THEWILL) — The political landscape in Rivers State witnessed a significant shift on Tuesday as six members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers, including Dumnamere Dekor (Khana/Gokana), Solomon Bob (Abua/Odual & Ahoada East), Hart Cyril (Degema/Bonny), Victor Obuzor (Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema/Ndoni), Blessing Amadi (Port Harcourt II), and Felix Nweke (Eleme/Oyigbo/Tai), announced their decision during plenary.
Their letters of defection were read by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
In their separate letters to the House, the lawmakers cited persistent internal divisions and unresolved political crises within the PDP as the primary reasons for their exit.
They noted that the situation had made it difficult for them to effectively advance their legislative responsibilities and serve their constituents.
They declared their resolve to align with the APC’s policy direction and pledged support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The defectors expressed confidence that the ruling party offers a more stable platform for national development and effective governance.
THEWILL reports that this development is the latest in a series of high-profile political realignments in Rivers State, coming weeks after Governor Siminalayi Fubara formally joined the APC.
Senior national officers of the APC, including the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), National Spokesperson, and National Youth Leader, were present in the National Assembly to witness the formal reception of the lawmakers.
However, the defections were not without controversy. Kingsley Chinda, the House Minority Leader, alongside Ali Isa, the Deputy Minority Leader, raised objections on the floor.
They argued that defection notifications announced during plenary did not meet the constitutional requirements and urged the Speaker to declare the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant.
Speaker Abbas acknowledged the objections but declined to make an immediate ruling.
With this latest realignment, the PDP’s strength within the Rivers State caucus of the House of Representatives has been significantly reduced, leaving the party with only a few federal lawmakers from the state.
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