The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a new twist as 27 members of the state House of Assembly defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, which was announced on Monday, is seen as a major blow to the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who is locked in a bitter power struggle with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The 27 lawmakers said they decided to join the APC because of the “undemocratic and dictatorial tendencies” of Fubara and the PDP leadership in the state.
They also accused the Governor of failing to deliver on his campaign promises and of neglecting the development of the state.
The defection has left the PDP with only five members in the 32-member Assembly, while the APC now has 27 members.
The Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, who is also speculated to be an ally of Wike, said the defection was a “bold and courageous” move that would usher in a new era of good governance and accountability in the state.
He said the APC would work with the federal government and the President, Bola Tinubu, to ensure that Rivers State gets its fair share of the national resources and projects.
However, the PDP has dismissed the defection as a “political gimmick” and a “betrayal of the people’s mandate”.
The state PDP chairman, Desmond Akawor, said the defectors were “mere political jobbers” who were being used by Wike to destabilize the state and cause confusion.
He said the PDP would challenge the legality of the defection in court and seek to reclaim the seats of the defectors.
He also urged the people of the state to remain calm and support the Governor, who he said was committed to delivering on his vision of transforming the state.
The defection is the latest episode in the long-running feud between Fubara and Wike, who were once political allies.
The rift between them started shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023, following his victory in the governorship election, which was largely influenced by Wike’s support.
However,political analysts said the relationship between them soon soured as Fubara began to assert his independence and distance himself from Wike’s influence.
Wike, who was the governor of the state from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of trying to control the political structure and affairs of the state from Abuja, where he serves as the FCT minister.
He has also been accused of instigating the impeachment plot against Fubara, which was initiated by the House of Assembly under Amaewhule in October.
The impeachment move was, however, foiled by some lawmakers loyal to Fubara, who impeached Amaewhule and replaced him with Edison Ehie, who is now the deputy speaker.
The President, Tinubu, had intervened in the crisis and met with both Fubara and Wike in October to broker peace.
The two politicians had appeared to bury the hatchet and attended some public events together in the last few weeks.
However, the defection of the 27 lawmakers has shown that the crisis is far from over and may escalate further.
The situation has also drawn the attention and concern of some prominent Nigerians, especially from the Niger Delta region, where Rivers State is located.
One of them is the elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, who has written an open letter to the President, urging him to call Wike to order.
Clark said Wike should focus on his job as the FCT minister and stop interfering in the affairs of his home state.
He said Wike was just one of the 48 ministers in the President’s cabinet and he should not act as if he was above the law or the constitution.
He also said Wike should respect the will of the people of Rivers State, who elected Fubara as their governor, and stop trying to impose his will on them.
He said if all former governors insist on controlling their successors, there will be chaos and confusion in the country.
He said Rivers State is very important to the stability of the Niger Delta and the overall national economy and any breakdown of law and order will not be in the interest of anyone.
He said the President should use his authority and influence to ensure that peace and harmony prevail in the state and that the rule of law is upheld.
