By Enyichukwu Enemanna
As the cold war between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike and his successor and Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara rages, members of the State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers numbering about 27, led by Martin Amaewhule announced their defection on Monday during plenary.
The legislators who had previously initiated impeachment against Governor Fubara cited division in the PDP as the reason for their defection to the APC.
The political crisis in the State came to light following the burning of the Rivers State Assembly Complex on October 29.
In response, the State Governor was accused by Wike of orchestrating the burning of a section of the State House Assembly complex.
Following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, the move to impeach Fubara was put on hold.
Rivers State lawmakers also passed a resolution condemning the withholding of funds for management of the Assembly.
The Assembly also passed the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2023 for Second Reading on Monday, among other legislative activities.
Wike had anointed Fubara as his preferred successor, but months after that decision, they both fell out.
Wike, a leader of the PDP was appointed a minister in the APC-led government, a decision he insists is not anti-party activity.
He had sought the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party prior to the 2023 election but lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was defeated by Tinubu at the polls according to result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
