The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has stated that the absence of governance in the state is the cause of the defection of 27 members of the state Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Tony Okocha, the Chairman of APC, Rivers State Caretaker Committee, revealed that some lawmakers in the state had shared their reasons with him during his address to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday.
A total of 27 Rivers State lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC, all under the faction of the embattled Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, and a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In response, Okocha described the defection of the former PDP members as a valuable addition for the APC.
He confirmed that the party in the state has been officially informed of the lawmakers’ defection.
He stated: “We are delighted to announce the defection of 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members from the PDP to our dear party, the All Progressives Congress. We have officially been informed of this move and believed it was necessary to share this news with the public.”
Okocha praised the defected Assembly members, emphasizing that 27 lawmakers cannot be equated with four lawmakers. He criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara for validating only four Assembly members over 27, asserting that “We have surpassed the era of 16 being higher than 19.”
Furthermore, Okocha highlighted the lawmakers’ concerns about the state’s governance, expressing that leadership in Rivers State has deteriorated and the state has been left without effective governance.
He criticized the current administration for failing to uphold the principles of “consolidation and continuity,” claiming that the actions of the governor were contrary to the initial plan.
Okocha lamented the lack of progress in the state and remarked, “There is widespread hardship.”
He suggested that the defection of the 27 lawmakers would serve as a system of checks and balances in the government, emphasizing that it was a commendable decision despite the opinions that it was overdue.
“We appreciate their decision and welcome them with open arms,” Okocha added.