Rivers State witnessed a dramatic political shift on Friday as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and 16 lawmakers officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement came during plenary, marking one of the largest legislative defections in the state since its political crisis intensified in late 2023.
The lawmakers submitted formal letters notifying the House of their defection, citing deepening internal crises, prolonged factional battles, and “irreconcilable differences” within PDP. According to the Speaker, the lawmakers could no longer operate effectively under a party he described as “fractured, unstable, and incapable of uniting its members.”
Their move immediately shifts the balance of power in the House, handing the APC a commanding majority and weakening PDP’s long-standing dominance in the state.
Why They Left: Crisis, Factionalism, and Strategic Alignment
Sources within the Assembly confirmed that the defection was influenced by the long-running political tension between key political blocs in the state, particularly the unresolved rift involving major PDP stakeholders. The lawmakers argued that the persistent crisis undermined governance and jeopardized their ability to deliver democratic dividends to their constituencies.
Political observers believe the lawmakers are also aligning themselves with the APC-controlled federal government to secure stronger institutional backing and political stability.
Rivers State has been a PDP stronghold for more than two decades, making the mass defection especially consequential. The move reshapes the legislative landscape and fuels speculation about future political realignments especially as the state edges toward critical political decisions in 2026 and ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This latest development mirrors the dramatic defections of 27 lawmakers in 2023, which triggered months of legislative paralysis, court battles, rival speakership claims, and heightened tensions across the state.
With today’s wave of defections, analysts warn that Rivers State may once again be heading toward a period of heightened political uncertainty.
Implications of the Defection
APC’s Strength Surges in the State Assembly:The ruling APC now enjoys expanded influence in Rivers State, a development that could accelerate legislative actions aligned with federal priorities.
PDP Weakens Further:The mass defection deepens the PDP’s internal wounds and threatens its survival as a formidable political force in the state ahead of the next election cycle.
Possible Legal Challenges Ahead:Given that previous defections in Rivers State sparked prolonged legal battles over constitutional interpretations, this new wave may also attract lawsuits from PDP loyalists.
Governance Impact:With a legislature leaning heavily toward APC, the state’s political direction, budgeting priorities, and oversight mechanisms may shift significantly.
Reactions on social media were mixed and intense.
Supporters of APC hailed the move as “a liberation” for the state.
PDP supporters accused the defecting lawmakers of “betrayal” and “political opportunism.”
Civic groups raised concerns that the defection could undermine democratic checks and balances, potentially turning the Assembly into a one-party chamber.
Political analysts are watching closely to see whether: More lawmakers will follow suit.
The PDP will mount a legal resistance or attempt a reconciliation move.
The executive arm of the state government will align or resist this shift. Tensions will escalate or stabilise in the coming weeks.
Regardless of the direction, this mass defection marks one of the most significant political turning points in Rivers State in recent years.
