Four Rivers State lawmakers join APC following prolonged PDP and Labour Party crises, strengthening the party’s House numbers

Four lawmakers, including three close allies of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing unresolved crises in the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party.

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The defectors are Boniface Emerengwa, Boma Goodhead, and Awaji Nombet Abiante from the PDP, and Manuchin Umezuruike from the Labour Party.

Their letters of defection were formally read at plenary on Thursday by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen.

Abiante and his PDP colleagues, described as loyalists of Governor Fubara, said the prolonged internal crisis in their former party left them with no option but to join the APC.

Umezuruike said his decision to leave the Labour Party was due to lingering litigations, stressing that the move was motivated by the interests of his constituents rather than personal gain.

The defection raises the APC’s membership in the House to approximately 250 lawmakers, enhancing the party’s influence in the legislature.

Observers noted the timing as strategic, coming amid ongoing political realignments ahead of upcoming elections.

Political analysts have described the defections as a powerful signal of the APC’s growing appeal in Rivers State, reflecting both dissatisfaction within opposition ranks and the allure of a more stable political platform.

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The lawmakers’ decision was met with applause from APC members present at plenary, highlighting the human element of reassurance and optimism within the party ranks.