Six lawmakers from Rivers State in the House of Representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The defectors, who were elected on the PDP platform, include Robinson Dekor, Solomon Bob, Cyril Hart, Victor Obuzor, Blessing Amadi, and Felix Nwaeke. According to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the lawmakers cited “divisions and unresolved political crisis” within the PDP as their reason for switching parties.

The lawmakers’ decision to defect was reportedly due to the crisis in the PDP, which they claimed had hindered their ability to pursue their political aspirations. They expressed their intention to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. This move reduces the PDP’s representation in the Rivers State caucus of the House of Representatives from 12 members to just two.

The latest defections follow a similar trend, as three other PDP lawmakers from Rivers State had defected to the APC just last week. The remaining PDP lawmakers in the state are House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and Kelechi Nwogu. The mass defection is likely to have significant implications for the political landscape in Rivers State and the balance of power in the House of Representatives.

The lawmakers’ decision to join the APC may be seen as a strategic move to advance their political careers, given the current political climate in Nigeria. The PDP has been facing internal conflicts and power struggles, which may have contributed to the defections. The APC, on the other hand, has been actively seeking to expand its membership and strengthen its position in the country.

The defections are a significant development in Nigerian politics, highlighting the ongoing realignments and power shifts within the country’s major parties. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the future of the PDP and the APC in Rivers State and beyond.