As political activities heat up ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Nyesom Wike led administration has suffered a major setback.
A staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and lawmaker representing Ahoada East Constituency I, at the Rivers State House Assembly, Martins Mannah, has defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Defecting with an overwhelming 3,000 supporters, in Ahoada East on Saturday, June 2, Mannah, said: “I came here to deliver a simple message and the message is that my people should accept change. Rivers State has never been in opposition and we don’t know how to play it. It does not benefit us, but we were deceived into it and we are seeing the result.
“We have followed the PDP government genuinely and with all commitment but for three years we have not seen any constituency project. I apologise for being used to lie to my people. A lot of us in the State Assembly have been under oppression and want to move to APC. We will ensure that PDP does not win in the state come 2019.”
Receiving Mannah and his supporters, the State Chairman of APC, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, urged them to support the party to reclaim power from the PDP led state government and assured them of equity and fairness in internal party affairs.
Meanwhile, indications have emerged that more lawmakers are expected to jump ship, following an alleged crack in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
A source told Africa Update, that lawmakers are displeased with the speaker of the House who according to them, has been unable to implement statutory benefits, while the governor, is being accused of failing to fulfil promises made to some lawmakers and their constituents.
