Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Wike Loyalists Defect to APC, Vow to Deliver Tinubu in 2027

By Emmanuel Kwada

The political landscape in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on Friday as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, alongside 15 other lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Their defection, announced during plenary at the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, marks one of the most significant political shifts in the state since the beginning of the current administration.

Amaewhule, representing Obi-Akpor 1 Constituency, declared his full commitment to the APC, stating that he would immediately begin the process of obtaining his party card.

“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,” the Speaker said while addressing the chamber.

He further pledged the group’s readiness to work for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, stressing that their defection was driven by a desire to align with what they described as the progressive direction of the federal government.

The development is expected to heighten political tensions in Rivers State, coming amid ongoing friction between factions aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and those loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Political observers say the mass defection could significantly alter the balance of power in the state legislature and reshape alliances ahead of the next election cycle.

The APC leadership in Rivers State is expected to receive the defecting lawmakers formally in the coming days.