POLITICS
APC Moves to Verify Rivers Lawmakers’ Defections as Questions Mount Over Formal Membership Status
Amid intensifying political tensions in Rivers State, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced a verification process to ascertain whether key members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who recently announced their defection have formally registered as members of the ruling party.
Reliable sources within the APC disclosed that the investigation was triggered by growing concerns over the legitimacy of the December 5, 2025 defections, with indications that several lawmakers who publicly declared their exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are yet to present concrete proof of APC membership. Such proof, party officials insist, includes possession of official party membership cards and verifiable registration details.
According to a senior APC official familiar with the development, public pronouncements and symbolic displays of allegiance are insufficient to confer party membership. The source stressed that singing party slogans or making televised declarations does not replace the established registration process. Drawing a comparison with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection, the official noted that the governor promptly received his APC membership card, setting a clear precedent.
“We expect the same transparency from the lawmakers. Membership is confirmed only through possession of a party card bearing personal data,” the official stated.
During the December 5 plenary session of the Rivers State House of Assembly, where the defections were formally announced. Speaker Martin Amaewhule openly described the APC as his new political home. He further pledged to take all necessary steps to obtain his membership card without delay, a remark widely interpreted as confirmation that official party cards had not yet been issued to the defecting lawmakers at the time.
The lawmakers who announced their defection to the APC include:
Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule (Speaker, Obio/Akpor 1)
Dumle Maol (Deputy Speaker, Gokana)
Major Jack (Majority Leader, Akuku-Toru 1)
Linda Stewart (Deputy Majority Leader, Okrika)
Franklin Nwabochi (Chief Whip, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni)
Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3)
Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2)
Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2)
Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1)
Igwe Aforji (Eleme)
Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1)
Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2)
Peter Abbey (Degema)
Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo)
Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche)
Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo)
Ofiks Kabang (Deputy Whip, Andoni)
The development comes against the backdrop of heightened political uncertainty in the state. Although the Rivers State House of Assembly was officially scheduled to resume plenary on January 26, 2026, following the Christmas and New Year recess, lawmakers reconvened earlier than expected amid escalating tensions, including renewed moves toward the impeachment of Governor Fubara.
Party insiders say the ongoing APC verification exercise is aimed at clarifying the true status of the lawmakers’ defections and dispelling lingering doubts over their formal integration into the party. The outcome of the probe is expected to have significant political implications, particularly as Rivers State navigates a volatile period marked by internal party realignments and high-stakes legislative maneuvers.
Further updates are anticipated as the APC concludes its investigation and communicates its findings.