APC Gains Upper Hand As Rivers Speaker, 15 Lawmakers Dump PDP

The political equation in Rivers State shifted sharply on Friday as Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, led 15 lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deepening internal turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Amaewhule, who announced the defection during plenary, said the worsening crisis in the PDP had undermined their ability to deliver quality representation to their constituents.
He noted that the prolonged infighting had made the party “practically ungovernable.”

The defectors include Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika) and several others drawn from different constituencies across the state.

Their exit marks one of the most significant political realignments in Rivers since the return of civil rule.

With the mass defection, the APC is now poised to assume a dominant position in the Assembly—an outcome analysts say could deepen the political cracks that have remained visible since the restoration of normal governance after the period of emergency rule in the state.

The PDP has yet to issue an official response, but political observers describe the defections as a strategic move ahead of future electoral contests, one that could reposition the APC to strengthen its foothold in Rivers—a crucial battleground in national politics.

Analysts also warn that the development may herald a new phase of political tension as both parties begin recalibrating their 2026 and 2027 strategies.