- Safiu Kehinde
The Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, has alongside 15 other lawmakers dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Awaewhule announced the defection during the assembly’s plenary session on Friday.
The Speaker expressed his readiness to work with President Bola Tinubu, stressing that he has shown love to Rivers State.
“Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your speaker has decided and has indeed written to my ward chairman of my decision to leave the PDP. APC is my new party,” Amaewhule said.
“I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the APC is issued to me in no time. But as we speak today, I am a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr. President.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing so much for this country. He means well for Nigeria. He is tackling the issue of security headlong. The president has shown love to Rivers state.
“The president is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country.” He said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers Assembly Speaker cited the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP as reason behind his defection alongside the 15 other lawmakers.
The other lawmakers who joined the Speaker in defecting to the APC include Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Linda Stewart, Franklin Nwabochi, Azeru Opara, Smart Adoki, and Enemi George.
Others include Solomon Wami, Igwe Aforji, Tekena Wellington, Looloo Opuende, Peter Abbey, Arnold Dennis, Chimezie Nwankwo, and Ofiks Kabang.