4 Rivers Lawmakers Defect To APC In House Of Reps

Four members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), respectively.

The defectors were Awaji Inombek Abiante (Andoni–Opobo/Nkoro), Boma Goodhead (Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru) and Emerengwa Boniface (Emoha/Ikwerre), all formerly of the PDP, as well as Manuchim Umezuruike (Port Harcourt I), who left the Labour Party (LP) for the APC.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, announced their defections on the floor of the House after reading their letters at plenery on Thursday.

The lawmakers cited prolonged and unresolved internal crises in their former political parties as the reason for their decision.

The development comes amid ongoing political realignments in Rivers State following the defection of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from the PDP to the APC.

Fubara recently announced his defection at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, saying full political alignment was necessary to effectively support President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He joins other governors who have exited the PDP in recent months, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri.