Four Rivers lawmakers defect to APC from PDP, Labour Party

Four members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

The lawmakers are Awaji Inombek Abiante, who represents Andoni–Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency; Boma Goodhead of Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency; and Emerengwa Boniface of Emoha/Ikwerre Federal Constituency, all formerly of the PDP. Also joining the APC is Manuchim Umezuruike, who represents Port Harcourt I Federal Constituency and defected from the Labour Party.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced their defection during plenary after reading the lawmakers’ letters on the floor of the House.

In their letters, the defectors attributed their decision to lingering and unresolved internal crises within their former political parties.

The defections come amid ongoing political realignments in Rivers State, following the recent defection of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from the PDP to the APC, which he announced at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Fubara has since joined a growing list of governors who have exited the PDP, including Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.

Addressing stakeholders, Fubara said full political alignment was necessary to effectively support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, adding that his supporters had collectively resolved to move to the APC.

It would be recalled that on March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly for six months over prolonged political tensions.

The President said the action was taken to restore stability following a breakdown in governance caused by disputes between the executive and the legislature. He subsequently appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.

After six months, Fubara was reinstated and pledged to prioritise peace, reconciliation and political stability in Rivers State.