By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The political manoeuvring in Rivers state on Monday took a dramatic turn as Governor Siminalayi Fubara held an emergency meeting with members of the State Executive Council, at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Prompt News reports that the emergency meeting was sequel to the defection of 27 members of the 32-member Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that the lawmakers earlier in the day dumped then PDP for the APC during the sitting of the House.
The lawmakers were seen brandishing the flags of the APC in a group photograph after the sitting.
The factional members on Monday accused Governor Fubara of withholding funds meant for the management of the Assembly.
They, thereafter, adopted a resolution condemning the alleged withholding of funds by the state government.
The faction led by its Speaker, Mr. Martin Amaewhule, made the disclosure at its 87th plenary in Port Harcourt.
The group comprising 27 legislators, accused the state Governor (Fubara), of starving them of funds.
The 27 lawmakers out of the 32 lawmakers of the House, thereafter, announced their defection to the APC citing alleged division in the PDP as the reason for crossing to the APC. READ ALSO:
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Speaking after reading the letters signed by the defected lawmakers, Amaewhule directed the Clerk of the House to convey their resolution to the governor, Mr. Siminialayi Fubara, and relevant authorities.
According to him, the decision of 27 lawmakers is borne out of the desire to serve the state better.
However, the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2023′ scaled through the second reading at the plenary.