Four members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State have switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers are Manuchim Umezuruike of Port Harcourt 1 Federal Constituency; Boniface Emerengwa of Ikwerre/Emuoha Federal Constituency; Awake-Inombek Abiante of Andoni/Opobo Federal Constituency; and Boma Goodhead of Asari-Toru Federal Constituency.
The defectors are reportedly aligned with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who also defected to the APC last week.
While announcing his move earlier, Fubara said his decision to leave the PDP was driven by his resolve to support President Bola Tinubu, stressing that his political survival was tied to the President’s backing.
“The reason why we are still standing is because of that place, and the truth is, without Mr President, there wouldn’t be any His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara; it would have been the former governor.
“So, we have every reason because the truth, let nobody be fooled in this state, we have the people, we have the supporters. Our only thank-you to Mr President is to support him, and we cannot support the President in isolation;
“We cannot support the President if we don’t fully identify with him, not backyard support. So, we have taken that decision today since we have gotten the pass. Everyone here who had followed me, who had suffered with me, our decision today, this evening, we are moving to APC,” Fubara said.
The governor’s defection followed closely after the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, alongside 17 other lawmakers, also left the PDP for the APC on December 5.
The state lawmakers attributed their defection to the lingering internal crisis within the PDP.
Among those who exited the party were Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1), Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo) and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).