PDP Affirms: Defected Pro-Wike Lawmakers Are No Longer Members of Our Party

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially disowned the 27 lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid a political crisis in the state.

The lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, had switched allegiance to the APC in December 2023, aligning themselves with the former governor, Nyesom Wike. Their defection was seen as a blow to the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, sparking a heated confrontation.

Governor Fubara, in a bold move on May 6, 2024, declared that the defected lawmakers were no longer recognized under the law. He emphasized that there was no legitimate crisis within the PDP to justify their departure.

Following Fubara’s declaration, Victor Oko-Jumbo emerged as the factional speaker of the assembly, further solidifying the rift between the two factions.

However, a recent ruling by the Rivers State High Court has thrown a curveball into the already complex situation. The court rejected a suit seeking to declare the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant, affirming their membership in the PDP.

Presiding Judge, Justice Okogbule Gbasam, asserted that the lawmakers’ defection to the APC could not be substantiated solely through media reports.

In response to the court ruling, Sydney Gbara, spokesperson for the Rivers PDP, reiterated the party’s stance, emphasizing that the defected lawmakers are no longer affiliated with the PDP. He pointed out the lawmakers’ public announcement of their departure and subsequent participation in APC activities as evidence of their disassociation.

Gbara also stated that if the lawmakers wish to return to the PDP, they would need to formally apply for re-entry, subject to the party’s review.