On Monday, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) announced its intention to formally request fresh elections from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday.

This action is in response to the defection of 27 of its members from the Rivers State House of Assembly to the All-Progressives Congress (APC). The defection occurred on Monday, with the members expressing dissatisfaction with the internal divisions within the party, particularly concerning the contest for the position of the National Secretary of the PDP. This internal strife had reportedly hampered communication channels within the party.

The defectors, originally elected on the PDP platform, presented their reasons for leaving in letters addressed to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, which were read aloud during the House session. The rift stemmed from the prelude to the 2023 governorship election in the state, during which the then-governor, Nyesom Wike, allegedly obtained forms for numerous PDP stalwarts, including Siminalayi Fubara, who was the state's Accountant General at the time. However, controversy arose when Wike selected Fubara as the governorship aspirant, sparking discontent among party leaders who deemed Fubara to be a non-politician and an outsider in the party's political struggles.

Tensions between Fubara and his predecessor escalated several months ago when lawmakers aligned with Wike attempted to impeach the incumbent governor. This crisis led to a division within the House, with Speaker Amaewhule heading the majority faction and House Leader Edison Ehie leading another faction. The situation worsened when a section of the state House of Assembly was engulfed in flames during this period.

In response to the defection of the lawmakers, the PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, conveyed in an interview on Monday that the party is determined to explore all available options to regain its seats in the state House of Assembly.