By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The legislators won elections into the state parliament in 2023 through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, following a political crisis between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Mr Wike, the 27 lawmakers attempted to impeach the Governor, which was botched.
President Bola Tinubu had to intervene in the matter and asked Mr Wike and Mr Fubara to maintain peace.
Last week, a video of the Minister singing the popular allegiance song of Mr Tinubu, On your mandate we shall stand, at the office of the Chief of State to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, surfaced on the internet.
On Monday morning, the Rivers State lawmaker loyal to Mr Wike announced their defection from the PDP to the APC, singing the same allegiance song.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has 32 lawmakers and with 27 members porting to the APC, the Governor only has 5 lawmakers on his side.