The turmoil affecting the Rivers State House of Assembly escalated on Monday as twenty-seven members defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Citing internal divisions within the PDP, the lawmakers, reportedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made this decision during a plenary session held at 8 am on Monday under tight security at the Assembly complex along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.
In response to the defection, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, convened an emergency executive council meeting, which is currently ongoing.
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The meeting, the 5th executive council gathering, is expected to deliberate on the departure of the 27 lawmakers from the PDP to the APC.
The governor is presiding over the meeting, which follows the 4th executive council meeting held on October 27, 2023, where four draft bills were approved.
The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has expressed openness to receiving more defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, viewing the lawmakers’ defection as a positive development.
Chibuike Ikenga, the spokesperson for the State APC Caretaker Committee, welcomed the move, stating that with the increased number of lawmakers in the APC, the state could be effectively governed.
Ikenga emphasized the party’s receptiveness to anyone willing to join, portraying the lawmakers’ defection as a favorable development.
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