₦airaland Forum

Two senators from Rivers State elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deepening internal crises within the opposition party and the need to align with the federal government to better serve their constituents.

The defections were formally announced on the floor of the Senate during plenary, amid the presence of a high-powered APC delegation from the national and state levels.

Alwell Onyesoh, one of the senators representing Rivers East Senatorial District, said his decision followed “several consultations” with leaders and stakeholders across the district.

“Since the hour I arrived to officially announce my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, this decision is coming on the heels of several consultations with Rivers East Senatorial District people, whose collective aspirations I represent,” he said.

He stressed that his loyalty remained with his constituents, not with any political party.

“Political parties are channels for the exploration of political interests. It was on this basis that I got elected on the platform of the PDP.

“However, recent events have revealed the importance of aligning with the centre and the political will to transform the fortunes of my people with structures that can facilitate good governance,” the senator added.

According to him, his commitment to the development of Rivers East, particularly in the area of human capital, “remains unwavering, through seasons, through times, and even through parties.”

Also, Barinada Mpigi, the second senator, from Rivers South-East Senatorial District, anchored his defection on constitutional grounds, citing irreconcilable divisions within the PDP.

“In accordance with Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby announce my defection to the All Progressives Congress,” he said.

He argued that the PDP was riddled with unresolved crises at all levels.

“The PDP has unresolved issues and divisions at the national, state, local government, and even ward levels, resulting in a breakdown of effective party authority in Rivers State and particularly in my senatorial district,” he stated.

“These circumstances clearly constitute a division within the meaning of the Constitution, rendering continued membership untenable and impractical.”

The lawmaker thanked the PDP for giving him the platform to enter the Senate but said the party had been unable to resolve its internal challenges.

“I respectfully request my colleagues to understand. I thank my former party for affording me the opportunity to enter the Red Chambers, but they are aware that they have not been able to resolve issues that can make a legislator comfortable running under their banner,” he said.

Leaders of the APC, including the party’s National Secretary, South-South National Vice Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Youth Leader, and Rivers State APC chairman, were present to receive the defectors, describing the move as a boost to the party’s growing influence in the South-South ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With the latest defections, the APC further strengthens its numbers in the Senate, while the PDP continues to grapple with internal schisms and a shrinking presence in the Red Chamber.

abc115:
BREAKING: Two senators from Rivers State, loyal to Wike, officially defected from the PDP to the APC today in the Red Chamber.

They are:

Sen. Onyesoh Alwell representing Rivers East Senatorial District.

Sen. Barry Mpigi representing south east Senatorial Districts

BREAKING: Two senators from Rivers State, loyal to Wike, officially defected from the PDP to the APC today in the Red Chamber.

They are:

Sen. Onyesoh Alwell representing Rivers East Senatorial District.

Sen. Barry Mpigi representing south east Senatorial Districts pic.twitter.com/36FklilBNa

— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) December 23, 2025

ttaiwo09:
Weak the wicked WIKE, The movie is just about to start.

Kastonkastroll:
What i see here is wike trying to play smart by checkmating fubara in APC. Well whatever the game is wike should thread with caution. He might end up losing both APC and PDP in Rivers.

But for now he(wike) still have the financial muscle to control both parties in rivers.

madridguy:
Alhaji Atiku and Peter Obi will be having serious headache now trying to come up with a formation to win Tinubu is 2027

abc115:
Two pro-Wike Senators defect to APC



Source

ruggedtimi:
sims has already won this particular battle. He is the leader of APC in rivers state.

DMerciful:
What is Wike still doing in the PDP?

The judiciary is responsible for these undemocratic charlatans like Wike and Anyanwu

WorldRichest:
.
No movie, they are crossing over because Nyezom Wike asked them to, if not, Tinubu will never ever accept the.

You all are kindergartens. Rivers elected politicians that are crossing to APC are only crossing because Wike asked them to, from Sim Fubara to the most insignificant person. If Wike didn’t ask them to, Tinubu will not accept them. Check other states that the current APC members rejected aspiring defectors, Tinubu didn’t accept them, e.g. Ade de Dancer of Osun. Zamfara Governor too has been wanting to come since, but the power block in Zamfara has not accepted him and his boys, that is why Tinubu has not accepted them

Ogbujaja:
Your narration is wrong, sir. Fubara bypassed Wike, through Hope Uzodinma to reach Tinubu. Fubara is the 001 of APC in Rivers State, and nothing Wike and Amaewhule and others can do about it. Mr. Wike is bittered.

madridguy:
Alhaji Atiku and Peter Obi will be having serious headache now trying to come up with a formation to win Tinubu is 2027

vanitybutiwanti:
sim has not won any battle and he is not the leader of anything, Tinubu has given wike assurance that he is not going to interfere. You better be scared for sim because wike controls the APC structure in the state, from the ward chairmen to LGA exco are all wikes people.

Ogbujaja:
You are very very wrong there, sir.
Sim is the LEADER OF APC IN RIVERS STATE. 001.
I dont know if you were in the meeting when Tinubu gave that assurance to Wike. Confirm please.

vanitybutiwanti:
Wikes delegate have all decamped to APC, wike is totally in charge of Rivers APC. Kindergarten social media politicians keep underrating him.

356 APC ward Chairmen are pro wike
23 LGA APC Chairmen are pro wike
State APC Chairmen with the exco are pro wike
27 APC state assembly members pro wike
8 out of 13 federal house of rep are pro wike
23 LGA Chairmen pro wike
2 out of 3 senators in APC pro wike

The afore mentioned are statutory drlegates , How will sim fubara win ?