APC Rejects Defection Claims of 27 State Lawmakers, Criticizes Local Government Election Plans

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has formally dismissed claims that 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who previously announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are now part of the APC.

The group of lawmakers, led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, initially won their seats under the PDP platform before declaring allegiance to the APC, citing the ongoing dispute between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

However, on Monday, Chief Tony Okocha, the Rivers APC caretaker committee chairman, clarified that the lawmakers loyal to Wike are not recognized members of the APC. Speaking to reporters in Port Harcourt, Okocha said, “The Assembly members have stated multiple times that they are not members of the APC, and I confirm this to be true. There is no official record of their defection.”

He added, “We are trying to bring them into our fold, but they have not joined the party yet. As the leader of the APC in Rivers, I would have welcomed their defection, but it hasn’t happened.”

Okocha also expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects in the South-South region, following the recent governorship victory in Edo State. He predicted that the party would replicate its success in Rivers and Delta States by 2027, stating that the APC aims to control all six states in the South-South geopolitical zone.

Additionally, the APC leader criticized the upcoming October 5, 2024, state local government elections, labeling them a violation of judicial process. He revealed that the APC has filed a lawsuit to halt the elections, which he believes are unlikely to proceed given the unresolved court case.

Okocha, who also serves on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), emphasized, “The proposed local government election is a clear attempt to disregard the judiciary. The matter is still in court, and there is no indication that the elections will take place as planned.”