By Davies Iheamnachor, Port Harcourt

Twenty-seven lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have decamped to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The lawmakers, who were elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, announced their decision during Monday’s plenary at the Rivers Assembly Complex.

The lawmakers were those under the leadership of the Speaker, Martin Amaehwule.

Also, it was gathered that the lawmakers are loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.

Recall that the legislative arm of the state had been in crisis following their bid to impeach the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

The factional members of the Rivers House of Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the alleged withholding of funds for the management of the Assembly by the state government.

The Speaker-led faction disclosed this at the 87th plenary in Port Harcourt, on Monday. The group, comprising the 27 legislators, accused Governor Fubara of starving them of funds.

The 27 lawmakers out of the 32 lawmakers of the House, thereafter, announced their defection to APC.

The defectors cited division in the PDP as the reason for crossing to the APC.

Speaking after reading the letters signed by the lawmakers, Amaewhule directed the clerk of the House to convey their resolution to Governor Fubara and relevant authorities.

According to him, the decision of 27 lawmakers is borne out of the desire to serve the state better.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2023 scaled through the second reading at the plenary.

Vanguard News