Just about nine weeks after the Rivers State House of Assembly was thrown into political turmoil, the state has witnessed another political upheaval.
On Monday, December 11, 2023, residents of the state woke up to shocking news that 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike have defected to the All Progressive Congress, APC, leaving behind about 5 lawmakers in the PDP
The 27 members of the State House of Assembly loyal to Wike cited internal wranglings and numerous court cases that have sharply divided the party as reasons for their action.
The 1999 constitution as amended stipulates that defection from one political party to another is permitted on the basis of intra-party crisis and division in the defectors previous political party.
An attempt to introduce a Bill compelling political office holders who defect , to loose their seat was killed by the 9th National Assembly in 2022.
It should be recalled that in October,2023, the chambers of the Assembly, was set on fire by yet to be identified persons in the aftermath of an attempt to begin impeachment process against gov Fubara.
Attempts by Governor, Sim Fubara to go and check the extent of the damage, resulted to his being allegedly attacked by the Police.
Subsequently, the house has been parading two Speakers in the persons of Martins Amaewhule and Ehie Edison.
