By Zainab Adinoyi
Political uncertainty is intensifying in Rivers State following the defection of 17 members of the House of Assembly loyal to former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The mass defection has significantly altered the balance of power in the legislature and triggered widespread speculation that Governor Siminalayi Fubara may also be considering a move to the ruling APC, despite repeated denials from his camp.
The defecting lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have continued legislative sittings outside the official Assembly complex, citing security and legal constraints. Their actions have kept the Assembly operational while deepening the rift between the executive and the legislature.
Among lawmakers identified as loyal to Governor Fubara, only three are currently considered active, further fueling narratives that the governor is becoming politically isolated. The situation has been compounded by delays in the appointment of commissioners, with the Assembly repeatedly faulting the governor for failing to submit a comprehensive list of nominees for confirmation.
Supporters of the governor argue that the delays are deliberate caution amid ongoing political and legal disputes, while critics see them as signs of deepening governance paralysis. The prolonged absence of a fully constituted cabinet has raised concerns about policy implementation and administrative stability in the state.
Despite the swirling rumours, senior government officials insist that Governor Fubara remains firmly in the PDP and has made no overt or covert moves toward defection. They describe the speculation as a pressure tactic linked to the broader power struggle between the governor and his predecessor.
Legal and political observers note that the defecting lawmakers themselves could face constitutional challenges, particularly regarding the legality of switching parties without a split at the national level, a requirement under Nigerian law.
As Rivers State remains on edge, the unfolding crisis is testing party loyalty, institutional resilience, and the governor’s capacity to assert authority amid one of the most intense political stand-offs in the state’s history.