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Wike's Shadow Looms Large as 27 PDP Lawmakers Defect to APC, but Rivers APC Denies His Involvement


Rivers State House of Assembly chamber


In a dramatic political shift that has sent shockwaves through Rivers State and beyond, 27 out of 31 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Rivers State House of Assembly have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). While the reasons for the mass defection remain unclear, speculation has swirled around the influence of former Governor Nyesom Wike, a prominent PDP figure who has been at odds with the party's national leadership.


However, the Rivers APC has moved swiftly to distance itself from any involvement by Wike, claiming that the lawmakers made their decision independently. "There was no iota of truth in the viral report that Wike must have initiated the move to unseat the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara," stated Eric Nwibani, Secretary of the APC caretaker committee, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH.

Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State

The defection has plunged Rivers State into political turmoil, with concerns rising about potential instability and legislative deadlock. The PDP has accused the APC of engineering the defection through "undue influence and intimidation," while the APC maintains that the lawmakers were motivated by a desire for "change and progress."

Siminalayi Fubara, current Governor of Rivers State

While the immediate consequences of the mass defection remain to be seen, it is clear that the political landscape in Rivers State has been irrevocably altered. The role of Wike, whether directly involved or not, will undoubtedly continue to be a central point of discussion as the drama unfolds.

Wike not behind 27 PDP lawmakers’ defection - Rivers APC (punchng.com)

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