Two members of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa State have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers are Rodney Ambaiowei, representing Southern Ijaw federal constituency, and Oboku Oforji of Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma. Defection Announced in Plenary The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced their defections during …
Two Bayelsa Reps Defect from PDP to APC Amid Leadership Crisis
Two members of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa State have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers are Rodney Ambaiowei, representing Southern Ijaw federal constituency, and Oboku Oforji of Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma.
Defection Announced in Plenary
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced their defections during Wednesday’s plenary session.
READ ALSO: Fubara Finally Bows to Pressure, Dumps PDP for APC
Ambaiowei cited the prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP as his reason for leaving.
He said the party’s national division had spread across state structures, creating confusion over which faction controls party affairs.
READ ALSO: Bayelsa: Gov Diri Defends Defection to APC as Deputy Faces Impeachment
“With this uncertainty, it has become difficult to perform my role and effectively represent my constituency,” Ambaiowei said. He described the move as necessary to provide his constituents with “true representation.”
Oforji’s Statement
Oforji, on the other hand, confirmed his defection, attributing it to the ongoing leadership crisis in the PDP, but expressed gratitude to the party that initially elected him.
The development follows similar recent defections, including Mansur Musa from Kebbi and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa, both of whom joined the APC in the past month.
The defections reduce the number of PDP legislators in the National Assembly, further strengthening the APC’s position.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
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