The Pathfinder
Saturday January 10, 2026
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The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced an internal verification exercise following increasing doubts surrounding the authenticity of the recent defections by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Although several lawmakers publicly announced their defection on December 5, 2025, party officials have raised concerns that many of them are yet to present formal evidence of APC membership.
According to senior party sources, public declarations, symbolic gestures, or chanting party slogans do not constitute official defection.
In Nigerian party politics, a lawmaker’s defection is only recognised after the individual formally registers with the new party and is issued a membership card bearing their personal details.
APC leaders have emphasised that this requirement is mandatory and non-negotiable, as failure to follow due process could trigger legal and political complications.
Party officials cited the case of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who reportedly received his APC membership card immediately after defecting, as an example of the standard procedure expected of all defectors.
The insistence on proper documentation reflects concerns that unverified defections could weaken the party’s legal position, particularly amid escalating political tensions in Rivers State.
During the December 5 plenary session at which the defections were announced, Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, openly admitted that he was yet to complete the process of obtaining his APC membership card. This acknowledgment further deepened speculation that the lawmakers’ transition into the ruling party remains incomplete.
The issue has taken on added importance following the Assembly’s early reconvening amid ongoing impeachment moves against Governor Fubara.
The APC’s verification exercise is therefore expected to either validate the defections or expose procedural lapses, a development that could significantly affect the political balance within the Rivers State House of Assembly as tensions continue to mount.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly invited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Fubara to an overseas meeting aimed at resolving the political crisis in Rivers State.
The President, who travelled abroad for a holiday, is yet to return to Nigeria.
It was gathered that Governor Fubara departed the country on Thursday aboard a private jet, reportedly en route to France to meet with President Tinubu.
However, a senior presidential aide said he was unaware of any scheduled meeting between the President and Wike, adding that President Tinubu is currently in France and is expected to proceed to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, thereafter.
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