Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule
Rivers State politics took a dramatic turn on Friday as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, led 15 other lawmakers out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking one of the biggest legislative defections in the state in recent years.
The lawmakers, who made the announcement during plenary, said their decision was driven by what they described as deepening “division in the PDP.”
Their mass exit immediately altered the political configuration of the House.
Among those who left the PDP were Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt III), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt II), Enemi George (Asari-Toru II), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt I).
Others included Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru I), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru II), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
With the shake-up, the remaining 10 PDP lawmakers quickly moved to reorganize, appointing Sylvanus Nwankwo of Omuma constituency as the new Minority Leader.
Announcing his defection, Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, described his move as both deliberate and necessary.
“Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party,” he declared.
He went on to affirm his switch:
“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.”
Amaewhule praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, saying the President had shown “love to Rivers State.”
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong… I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress,” he added.
During the session, the House also raised concerns about Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s alleged failure to fully constitute the state executive council, including the continued lack of an attorney-general.
Following a heated plenary, the House adjourned sitting to Monday, January 26, 2026, as the political realignment continues to reshape Rivers State’s power structure.
