In a dramatic political development that fundamentally shifts the balance of power in Rivers State, a total of 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including the current Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defections were announced today, Friday, December 5, 2025, marking a pivotal escalation in the political feud between the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara (PDP), and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike (APC).
The defection drastically alters the political landscape in the Assembly, delivering a massive blow to the governing PDP.
Before the defection, the Assembly had 32 members, all belonging to the PDP. The move leaves the PDP with just 16 members, and the APC now commanding an equal number of seats (16), creating a legislative deadlock.
The defection is widely seen as the culmination of the ongoing political crisis fueled by the bitter rivalry between Governor Fubara and the powerful FCT Minister Wike. The defecting lawmakers are known to be staunch loyalists of Wike.
The action immediately throws the political status of the defecting lawmakers into legal uncertainty. According to Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a lawmaker who defects from their party before the expiration of their term, unless their party is experiencing a division or merger, shall vacate their seat. This constitutional provision is expected to be tested immediately in court.
The move presents an immediate constitutional and political challenge to Governor Fubara, as the legislative balance now creates a volatile situation where the APC (Wike’s allies) could attempt to maintain the pressure for a potential impeachment process against the Governor, which was first triggered during the initial phase of the crisis.
The defection of the current Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, is unprecedented and creates confusion over the immediate leadership of the House.
This development is likely to plunge Rivers State into a deep legal and political crisis, challenging the authority of the Governor and the stability of the state legislature.
