Amaewhule Leads 16 Lawmakers to APC, Deepens Political Upheaval in Rivers

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, on Friday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), leading 15 other lawmakers in a dramatic shift that further unsettles the state’s already tense political landscape.

Amaewhule said the defection stemmed from deepening divisions within the PDP, a crisis that has lingered since the fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Those who crossed over with the Speaker 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).

Others are Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Rivers, a PDP stronghold since 1999, has endured months of escalating hostilities. The crisis peaked earlier this year when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy and members of the Assembly.

The turmoil also triggered the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces loyal to the governor and a spirited push by anti-Fubara lawmakers to impeach him, widening fault lines in the state’s political structure.

With the latest defection, analysts believe the balance of power in Rivers may tilt dramatically as the APC gains momentum backed by the Wike-aligned bloc.