Chief Emeka Beke, the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman and a supporter of Rotimi Amaechi, has criticized 27 state lawmakers for refuting their switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Beke, an associate of Rotimi Amaechi, stated that the lawmakers, headed by Martin Amaewhule, cannot renounce their affiliation with the APC following their public defection.
During a press conference on Saturday, Beke addressed Amaewhule’s assertions of staying in the PDP.
He stated, “I want to put it on record that those 27 members of the House of Assembly are still members of the APC. The law is clear on defection. They cannot run away from the truth because we all know and saw it when they defected to our party.”
“In our last meeting, we sent out invitations for them (the pro-Wike lawmakers) to attend, but they did not. Right now, we are focused on local government elections, and after that, we will take necessary actions concerning them.”
He also verified that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had screened and approved all APC candidates for the upcoming elections.
He said, “The APC will take part in the forthcoming local government elections on October 5. Our candidates have been screened and cleared.”
He praised Governor Siminalayi Fubara for ensuring equal opportunities for all political parties in the forthcoming elections.
He stated, “This is the first time in the history of politics in Rivers State that we are seeing a governor who is ready to give all parties the opportunity to test their popularity, allowing Rivers people to elect their preferred chairmen and councillors.”
The legislators switched parties during a conflict between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Fubara.
 Chairman and a supporter of Rotimi Amaechi, has criticized 27 state lawmakers for refuting their switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).){kind=link}