In a dramatic political shift, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA), Hon. Martin Amaewhule, on Friday, November 5, 2025, led 15 other lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Assembly has 32 legislators.
Amaewhule made the announcement during plenary, attributing the mass defection to deepening divisions within the PDP.
He revealed that he had formally informed his ward chairman of his resignation from the party and had already joined the APC.
Amaewhule declared, “Distinguished colleagues, APC is now my party. I am committed to ensuring my party membership card is issued promptly. As of today, I am proud to be part of APC. This move allows us to join forces with President Bola Tinubu, whose leadership has demonstrated commitment to Nigeria and shown love to Rivers State.”
The Speaker emphasised that supporting President Tinubu from within the APC is now the lawmakers’ primary focus, describing the ongoing infighting in the PDP as a major reason their continued membership had become untenable.
Rivers State has been enmeshed in political tension since late 2023, following a protracted rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lawmakers aligned with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Amaewhule is widely seen as part of the Wike loyalist faction.
The Assembly has experienced repeated standoffs, including attempted impeachment moves, escalating political friction.
The crisis has also led to conflicting court rulings over the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, with different judgments at various times recognising either Amaewhule or Edison Ehie, now Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara, as Speaker.
At the national level, the PDP has similarly struggled with internal fractures, particularly disputes involving former Governor Wike and party leadership. Political analysts note that the Rivers lawmakers’ defection reflects a broader pattern of realignments triggered by unresolved tensions within the PDP.
This latest development marks a significant political realignment in Rivers State, raising questions about the future dynamics between the state legislature and the executive, as well as the prospects of the APC in the region ahead of upcoming elections.
