PDP shrinks further in Rivers as Six Members defect to APC

Six members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further weakening the opposition party’s presence in Rivers State.

The defecting lawmakers are Dumnamere Dekor (Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency), Solomon Bob (Abua/Odual and Ahoada East), Hart Cyril (Degema/Bonny), Victor Obuzor (Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema/Ndoni), Blessing Amadi (Port Harcourt II), and Felix Nweke (Eleme/Oyigbo/Tai).

Their defection comes on the heels of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s exit from the PDP to the APC on December 5, 2025, a move that has continued to reshape the political landscape in the oil-rich state.

A week before the governor’s defection, 15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, also dumped the PDP for the APC.

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

Top APC national officials were present to witness the defection, including Victor Gaidam, National Vice-Chairman (South-South); Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary; Dayo Israel, National Youth Leader; and Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary.

Following the announcement, the Speaker invited the defecting lawmakers to the dais for photographs.

However, the development sparked protests from the opposition benches. Ali Isa, a PDP member, urged the Speaker to declare the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant, while Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader, objected to the ceremony.

Chinda argued that there is no constitutional or procedural requirement compelling lawmakers to announce their defection on the floor of the House.

“Go to your ward and defect,” he said, insisting that the ceremony should be expunged from the official records of the day’s proceedings.

Speaker Abbas acknowledged the objections but declined to make a ruling on the matter.

“Your observations are noted,” he said.

The latest defections come barely a week after four Rivers lawmakers also defected to the APC. They include Umezuruike Manuchim (Port Harcourt I), who defected from the Labour Party, as well as Boniface Emerengwa (Ikwerre/Emohua), Awaji-Inombek Abiante (Opobo/Nkoro/Andoni), and Boma Goodhead (Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru).

With the wave of defections, the PDP is now left with only three members from Rivers State in the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, Kenneth Chikere (Port Harcourt I), and Kelechi Nwogu (Etche/Omuma).

Very Nigerian.

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