Four Rivers lawmakers in the House of Representatives defected to APC one week after Governor Siminalayi Fubara joined the ruling party
Four Rivers State lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Thursday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, announced their defection during plenary after reading letters from the affected lawmakers, who cited internal crises and deepening divisions within their former parties as reasons for their decision.
The defectors are Manuchim Umezuruike, who represents Port Harcourt I Federal Constituency and was elected on the platform of the Labour Party; as well as Boniface Emerengwa (Ikwerre/Emuoha), Awake-Inombek Abiante (Andoni/Opobo), and Boma Goodhead (Asari-Toru), all formerly of the PDP.
The four federal lawmakers are believed to be loyalists of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who defected to the APC last week.
Explaining his decision to leave the PDP, Fubara said he moved to the APC to support President Bola Tinubu, noting that his political survival was largely due to the President’s backing.
“The reason why we are still standing is because of that place. The truth is, without Mr President, there wouldn’t be any His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara; it would have been the former governor,” Fubara said.
He added that supporting the president required full political alignment.
“We cannot support the president in isolation or from the backyard. We have taken the decision today, having received the go-ahead. Everyone who followed me and suffered with me has agreed that this evening, we are moving to the APC,” he said.
The governor’s defection came four days after the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, alongside 17 other lawmakers, dumped the PDP for the APC on December 5, citing the lingering crisis within the party.
Those who defected included Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt III), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt II), Enemi George (Asari-Toru II), Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt I), Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru I), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru II), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
