The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State has confirmed the official defection of 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).
State APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, revealed this in an interview, saying he personally witnessed the development during Friday’s plenary session.
According to him, the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who is among the defectors, formally announced the lawmakers’ decision on the floor of the Assembly.
He added that each of the defecting members individually reaffirmed their defection.
Okocha said the lawmakers had fulfilled all constitutional requirements for defection, noting that they notified the PDP in their respective wards, engaged with stakeholders, and formally registered as members of the APC in Rivers State.
“For today, at least I was invited. I was at the chamber, the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly and I witnessed the announcement by the Speaker who is also part of those that defected, 17 of them. 17 of them actually did, which of course include the Speaker.
“So he made the announcements and the individuals who opted to leave their former party, the PDP to join us in the APC, reaffirmed, reconfirmed one by each, one after the other.
“The thing was consummated. Central to this was the fact that they had notified their parties in their respective Wards.
“They had spoken with the Ward chairmen, they had spoken to stakeholders in their former party and they have also registered with the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State,” he said.
Speaking on earlier reports of a purported mass defection of the lawmakers in December 2023, Okocha clarified that the 27 lawmakers did not defect at the time.
He explained that he had invited the 27 lawmakers as individuals, shortly after assuming leadership of the APC in Rivers State, to strengthen the party, but that the gesture was misinterpreted as an official defection.
“The Assembly members did not defect in the actual sense of the word. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered is clear on the issue.”
Okocha also said the APC is continuing its efforts to woo the remaining lawmakers who are yet to defect.
According to him, the PDP in Rivers State is “in the ICU,” and many politicians prefer to align with a party they believe is more stable and nationally positioned.
“As far as we are concerned as a political party, we are still mounting pressure. PDP seems to be in the ICU as we speak.
“What President Bola Tinubu is doing for Nigeria and Nigerians cannot be swept under the carpet.
“He is working, and people want to identify with him by joining his party to help grow the country.
“I’m still talking with others that have not defected. Maybe if we’re able to convince them they’ll come. If we’re also not able to convince them, it is their decision to make,” he stated.
When asked whether Governor Siminalayi Fubara might also defect to the APC, Okocha responded that he does not see how any politician would remain committed to the PDP amid its current crisis.
He noted that the party’s instability raises doubts about its viability in future election.
