Just In: Two Rivers Senators Loyal To Wike Defect To APC, Details Emerge

• , The gale of defection has continued at THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)
• Two serving senators from Rivers State have dumped the PDP for the ruling APC on Tuesday, December 23, 2025
• The federal lawmakers are loyalists of former Rivers State governor and the current minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

FCT, Abuja - Two senators from Rivers State have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Sen. Onyesoh Alwell, representing Rivers East Senatorial District, and Sen. Barry Mpigi, representing South East Senatorial Districts, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the defection during plenary on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

The defector said their decision was informed by deep and unresolved internal divisions within the PDP.

It was gathered that the senators are considered loyalists of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Nigerians react as 2 Rivers senators defect to APC

@Rapuruchi4

They should continue defecting to the APC, but I know their political interests will eventually cause the APC to implode. Even some people within the APC will defect to other parties for their own survival.

@tukur_bala

Politics is dirty, soon they will align with Fubara and wash Wike dirty, lining up to him just to keep their seat.

@DbPragmatic

Rivers is fully APC now. PDP is a dead party. Congratulations to Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde.

@Lyf_Jennings

HE Wike probably gave his approval. He's teaching PDP a lesson, hoping they learn the hard way after 2027.

@MrIgwe8

Men forgot time comes and goes. Highest 2031, they will see how they shamelessly dishonour their political lifestyles. I give it to northern politicians this time around. They are men full of honour in their political journey.

@FranklinEzeudu

Defections like this show how state-level loyalties and national party influence intersect. The Wike factor appears to be shaping these moves

@OnunkajiC

Another chapter in Nigeria’s political migration tale. Ideology exists silently, convenience enters loudly. Rivers senators follow familiar currents, proving again that party loyalty is elastic, seasonal, and often dictated by proximity to power today publicly.

@luckyedox

Am happy as Nigerians aren't concerned or moved by defection to Apc anymore, they know exactly where their vote will go in 2027, Tinubu is a gonna.

@D3mon_Sound

Even Wike will soon go to the APC with the way he's moving.

Six Rivers Reps defect to APC

Recall that six lawmakers from Rivers state defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defections followed the recent exit of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and 15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the PDP.

The development significantly strengthened the APC’s political grip in Rivers, one of Nigeria’s most strategic states.

4 Rivers Reps resign from PDP, LP, Join APC

Legit.ng also reported that three loyalists of Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and a member of the LP, have announced their defection from the ruling APC, citing the prolonged crisis in the PDP.

The members who defected from the PDP to the APC are Boniface Emerengwa, Boma Goodhead, and Awaji Nombet Abiante from the PDP.

The letters of defection of the four lawmakers were read at plenary on Thursday, December 18, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.