Six additional members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further weakening the opposition party’s presence in the National Assembly.
The lawmakers’ letters of defection were read by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, during a special plenary session convened for the consideration of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Bills.
The development comes barely a week after four other Rivers lawmakers also defected to the APC.
In their letters, the lawmakers cited persistent internal divisions within the PDP, which they said had eroded unity and cohesion in the party.
They also praised the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the past two years and pledged their support for the government’s efforts at national rebuilding.
Those who defected are Dum Dekor (Khana/Gokana), Solomon Bob (Ahoada East/Abua/Odual), Victor Obuzor (Ahoada West/Ogba), Blessing Amadi (Port Harcourt II), Felix Nweke (Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo), and Hart Cyril (Degema/Bonny) federal constituencies.
National leaders of the APC were admitted into the chamber to witness the defections.
They included the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar; National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; and National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel.
However, the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, raised a point of order, arguing that defections announced on the floor of the House are not supported by law.
The Minority Whip, Ali Isa, also warned that the defecting lawmakers risk losing their seats.
In response, Speaker Abbas acknowledged the concerns but maintained that any member who wishes to formally notify the House of a defection is free to do so at any time.
With the latest defections, only three PDP lawmakers from Rivers State remain in the House of Representatives.
