The lack of governance in Rivers State has been cited as the key reason behind the defection of 27 members of the state Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the APC Rivers State Caretaker Committee.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, Okocha revealed that the lawmakers confided in him, expressing their disillusionment with the current state of governance. The defection, which saw 27 lawmakers move from the PDP to the APC, was attributed to the perceived absence of effective leadership and administration in the state.
The lawmakers who switched allegiance to the APC are aligned with the faction of the embattled Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, a faction in support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tony Okocha, who also serves as the Rivers State representative at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Management Board, hailed the defection as a significant gain for the APC. He emphasized that the party had been formally informed of this political realignment.
“We have invited you this evening to indeed convey our boundless joy over what I call heaven’s gains that we benefited from as a party,” stated Okocha. He went on to express the party’s delight at welcoming the 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members to the APC, characterizing it as a positive development for the party.
In his address, Okocha lauded the defected Assembly members and highlighted the imbalance in representation compared to the remaining PDP members. He stressed the inadequacy of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s endorsement of only four Assembly members over the 27 who had defected.
“We have gone past the era of 16 being above 19,” asserted Okocha, alluding to the ethical implications of favoring a smaller faction over a significant majority.
The Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in Rivers State further underscored the discontent among the defected lawmakers regarding the prevailing state of governance. According to Okocha, the leadership and governance in Rivers State have seemingly floundered, resulting in an environment devoid of effective governance.
Highlighting the current administration’s deviation from its promised trajectory of “consolidation and continuity,” Okocha denounced the governor’s actions as a departure from the original plan. He vividly painted a picture of the state, lamenting, “There is hunger in the land.”
Moreover, Okocha emphasized that the defection of the 27 lawmakers would serve as a vital mechanism for checks and balances within the government, applauding their decision despite being labeled as belated.
As the APC in Rivers State welcomes these lawmakers with open arms, Okocha’s sentiments echo a broader narrative of political realignment amidst governance concerns, underscoring the evolving landscape of Nigerian politics.
