‘Defected Rivers Lawmakers Made Mockery Of Legislature‘

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had left a long time ago.

The party added that they would go down in history as enemies of democracy who made mockery of the legislature.

The PDP national publicity secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, who stated this, however said the PDP would take legal steps to recover the seats from the lawmakers.

Recall that 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, defected from PDP to APC on Friday.

Amaewhule announced the lawmakers’ decision during plenary, citing what he described as a “division” within the PDP as the reason for their defection.

A battle for control of the PDP in 2023 between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, governor Nyesom Wike, who is FCT minister, led to a tussle between Fubara and the lawmakers (loyal to Wike) culminating in failed impeachment moves against the governor.

The lawmakers’ membership of PDP became a matter of legal dispute after they were seen flying APC flags suggesting they had dumped the PDP back then.

Reacting however, the PDP spokesman said the lawmakers merely announced their defection from the party for a second time.

Ememobong said they had done so earlier and later recanted, adding that the world is aware they are doing the bidding of their paymaster and demigod.

“The members of the Rivers state House of Assembly have by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress. They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.

“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC.

“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now ignobly and surreptitiously switched to another platform.”

He however urged PDP members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, adding that efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity.