Four Rivers Reps Dump PDP for APC as Fubara Camp Expands
Four members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, further deepening the realignment of political forces in the state.
The lawmakers who switched allegiance are Manuchim Umezuruike of Port Harcourt I Federal Constituency, Boniface Emerengwa representing Ikwerre/Emuoha Federal Constituency, Awake-Inombek Abiante of Andoni/Opobo Federal Constituency and Boma Goodhead from Asari-Toru Federal Constituency.
The defecting federal legislators are believed to be close allies of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who himself joined the APC last week. Their movement is seen as part of a broader shift by politicians loyal to the governor following his decision to leave the PDP.
Explaining his exit from the opposition party, Governor Fubara said his decision was driven by a desire to openly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that his political survival depended largely on the President’s backing.
He noted that without Tinubu’s intervention, he would no longer be in office, describing his move to the APC as a sincere expression of gratitude rather than a symbolic gesture. According to him, supporting the President required full identification with the ruling party, not what he described as indirect or “backyard” support.
He added that those who stood by him through political struggles had collectively resolved to move with him to the APC.
The four federal lawmakers cited the lingering crisis within the PDP as a major factor behind their decision to defect.
Their departure comes amid a wave of exits from the party by other elected officials in Rivers State.
Among those who have also left the PDP are the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dumle Maol from Gokana, as well as Major Jack of Akuku-Toru, Linda Stewart of Okrika, Franklin Nwabochi of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Azeru Opara of Port Harcourt III, Smart Adoki of Port Harcourt II, Enemi George of Asari-Toru II and Solomon Wami of Port Harcourt I. Others include Igwe Aforji from Eleme, Tekena Wellington of Asari-Toru I, Looloo Opuende of Akuku-Toru II, Peter Abbey of Degema, Arnold Dennis of Ogu/Bolo, Chimezie Nwankwo of Etche, Gerald Oforji of Oyigbo and Ofiks Kabang of Andoni.
The latest defections underscore the deepening internal challenges facing the PDP in Rivers State, while strengthening the APC’s position as more political office holders align with the governor and the ruling party at the federal level.
