### Political Turmoil in Rivers State: Lawmakers Defect from PDP to APC In a significant political shift, sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This move has been characterized by the PDP as a betrayal and has raised concerns about the stability of the political landscape in Rivers State. The defections were attributed to internal divisions within the PDP, as articulated by Amaewhule during the announcement of their departure [https://themomentng.com/2025/12/06/why-we-defected-to-apc-rivers-assembly-members]. ### Breakdown of the Political Shift 1. **Defection Announcement**: - On December 5, 2025, Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 15 other lawmakers officially announced their defection from the PDP to the APC during a plenary session [https://dailytimesng.com/rivers-assembly-crisis-speaker-16-lawmakers-dump-pdp-for-apc]. 2. **Reasons for Defection**: - The primary reason cited for this mass defection was the ongoing divisions within the PDP, which the lawmakers felt compromised their ability to effectively govern [https://thewhistler.ng/rivers-speaker-15-lawmakers-defect-to-apc-amid-pdp-crisis]. 3. **PDP's Response**: - In reaction to the defections, the PDP has labeled the defectors as "enemies of democracy" and has initiated steps to expel them from the party [https://utweets.com/rivers-lawmakers-who-defected-to-apc-labeled-enemies-of-democracy-by-pdp]. ### Supporting Evidence of Political Dynamics - **Defectors**: The group of defectors includes the Speaker and 15 other members, representing a significant portion of the assembly, which has 26 members in total [https://naijaonpoint.com.ng/16-out-of-26-pdp-rivers-lawmakers-defect-to-apc-cites-division-in-pdp-days-after-endorsing-tinubu-for-2027-polls]. - **Political Implications**: This shift not only consolidates APC's power in Rivers State but also raises questions about the future of the PDP in the region, especially as it faces internal strife [https://thenews-chronicle.com/pdp-bleeds-in-rivers-as-speaker-15-lawmakers-dump-party-for-apc]. ### Conclusion: Implications of the Defection The defection of 16 lawmakers from the PDP to the APC marks a pivotal moment in Rivers State politics, with several key implications: 1. **Power Shift**: The APC now holds a majority in the Rivers State House of Assembly, potentially altering legislative dynamics [https://businesspost.ng/general/rivers-speaker-15-other-lawmakers-leave-pdp-for-apc]. 2. **PDP's Challenges**: The PDP faces significant challenges in maintaining its influence and cohesion in the state, as internal divisions have led to this mass exodus [https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/05/rivers-speaker-15-other-assembly-members-dump-pdp-for-apc]. 3. **Future Political Landscape**: The political landscape in Rivers State is likely to continue evolving as the APC consolidates its power and the PDP seeks to regroup and address its internal conflicts [https://theeagleonline.com.ng/why-we-defected-to-apc-rivers-assembly-members-full-list]. This situation underscores the fluid nature of political alliances in Nigeria and the potential for rapid changes in party dynamics.