Amid growing questions over the legitimacy of recent defections, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun investigating whether key members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have formally joined the party.
Reliable sources within the APC indicate that the move stems from concerns that several lawmakers who publicly announced their switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on December 5, 2025, have not yet produced evidence of official membership, such as party cards or registration details.
A senior APC official emphasized that public declarations and symbolic gestures, including singing party slogans on national television, do not constitute formal membership. The source highlighted the precedent set by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who received his APC membership card promptly after his own defection. “We expect the same transparency from the lawmakers,” the official stated. “Membership is confirmed only through possession of a party card bearing personal data.”
During the December 5 plenary session, where the defections were announced, Speaker Martin Amaewhule described APC as his new party and pledged to take all necessary steps to obtain his membership card promptly — a statement interpreted as an indication that cards had not yet been issued at the time.
The lawmakers who announced their defection to the APC include:
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- 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 Rivers State House of Assembly had been scheduled to resume plenary on January 26, 2026, following the Christmas and New Year break. However, the lawmakers reconvened earlier amid heightened political tensions, including moves toward impeaching Governor Fubara.
The APC’s verification process is expected to clarify the status of these defections and resolve lingering doubts about their formal integration into the party. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
