The House of Representatives member representing Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency of Rivers State, Promise Chisom Dike, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The defection which was announced through a letter he addressed to the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila and read during plenary on Thursday, is said to be a big blow to Governor Nyesom Wike, who is the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State.
The lawmaker claimed in his letter that he defected from the PDP as a result of the crisis and division in the party in Rivers State.
While describing Gbajabiamila’s leadership as accommodating, Dike said he is “Finally home”, adding that the APC was the right party for him.
However, Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), interjected, saying that there was no evidence to the defected lawmaker’s claims.
He said the lawmaker should have informed the House ahead with clear evidence as he claimed in his letter.
However, the Speaker ruled him out of order, saying that any member who is not satisfied can challenge the defection in Court.
It could be recalled that another member from Rivers State, Ephraim Nwuzi, had earlier defected from the PDP to the APC in 2020.
Dike’s defection brought to two Rivers State House of Representatives members who have defected from the PDP to the APC.