BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – The predictable finally happened on Friday, December 5, 2025, as 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, officially dumped the troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaker Amaewhule, who announced the lawmakers’ decision during Friday’s plenary, attributed it to what he described as a “clear division” within the PDP.
Addressing the session, Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your Speaker has decided, and has indeed written to my ward chairman of my decision, to leave the PDP. APC is my new party.
“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the party.”
Amaewhule’s Deputy, Dumle Maol, is also one of the 16 lawmakers that joined APC as well. Also listed among the defectors are Major Jack, Linda Stewart, Franklin Nwabochi, Azeru Opara, Smart Adoki, Enemi George, Solomon Wami, and Igwe Aforji.
Others include Tekena Wellington, Looloo Opuende, Peter Abbey, Arnold Dennis, Chimezie Nwankwo and Ofiks Kabang.
It is on record that 32 members of the State Assembly had on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu.
Following a motion moved by the House Leader, Major Jack, the lawmakers urged the president to seek re-election come 2027.
All the lawmakers, who have jumped ship, are core loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, who among several other chieftains, were recently expelled from the PDP over his alleged anti-party activities.
This will be the second time that the same set of lawmakers would be announcing their defection to the APC.
In the wake of heightened political crisis that rocked the South South state early this year, the Assemblymen had dumped the PDP but later recanted that decision when faced with a law suit to declare their seats vacant.
