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.
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.
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.
As Senator Ned Nwoko positions for a return to the National Assembly, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Emmanuel Eboh, has described any opposing ambition as self- serving, unnecessary and detrimental to the peace and development of Delta North Senatorial District.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Chief Eboh, a former civil commissioner in Delta State, said Senator Nwoko continues to enjoy widespread goodwill and the support of the people of Delta North, popularly known as Anioma.
While acknowledging that political aspirations are legitimate in a democratic setting, Eboh cautioned against what he termed the “unacceptable drift towards turning politics into a family enterprise and a tool for power control and manipulation.”
He called on residents of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency and the wider Delta North district to resist “the inordinate ambition of some Shylock politicians driven by selfish motives and unrestrained personal interests.”
The APC stalwart warned that personality-driven ambitions, rather than people-oriented leadership, could
lead to avoidable rivalry and division within Delta North.
Chief Eboh maintained that Senator Nwoko’s performance in office has been commendable and deserving of re-election, citing key interventions in rural road construction, electrification, education, potable water supply, and empowerment programmes.
He further highlighted the senator’s sustained advocacy for the recognition and identity of Anioma, noting that it was “unprecedented in the political history of the district”.
According to him, “Senator Nwoko has not only met expectations but surpassed them. He deserves re-election, particularly given the fact that the core constitutional responsibility of a senator is lawmaking for the good governance of the nation.”
Eboh said the people of Delta North regard Nwoko as a progressive leader who embodies unity and dignity across Anioma, stressing that he should not be distracted by unnecessary political contestation.
He reaffirmed that the senator’s commitment to the growth and development of Anioma remains unwavering and urged constituents to sustain their support for his return to the Senate.
The APC chieftain also called for continued backing of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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